IL HB3801

Establishes the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program to provide monetary assistance and incentives to qualified educators (teachers and school counselors) pursuing or holding National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification.

Covers up to $2,000 in application or re-take fees for National Board certification and up to $1,000 towards renewal application fees for eligible educators.

Provides annual incentives up to $1,500 (prorated at $50 per hour) to National Board certified teachers who mentor or provide professional development to other educators, with priority given to Tier 1 school districts.

Offers additional incentives for rural or remote schools and diverse candidate support programs, including $3,000 one-time incentives for National Board certified teachers in rural Tier 1 or Tier 2 schools and $3,200 annual incentives for cohort facilitators.

Adds new $4,000 annual retention bonus for 2 consecutive years for National Board certified teachers employed in hard-to-staff schools (those with at least 30% low-income student enrollment).