IL HB5397

Establishes the shortage differential salary incentive program within the State Board of Education to support licensed teachers in special education and hard-to-staff locations

Provides a $10,000 annual grant for teachers with valid licensure in special education who are assigned to school-level, instructional special education positions

Awards $3,000 to $7,500 annual grants for teachers at hard-to-staff locations based on how many qualifying criteria the location meets (1 criterion = $3,000; 2 criteria = $5,000; 3 criteria = $7,500; 4 criteria = $5,000)

Defines hard-to-staff locations as areas identified by school districts, areas with below-average rates of teachers from state-approved preparation programs for 3 years, geographically isolated areas more than 25 miles from an urban center, or areas with combined vacancies and emergency hires exceeding 10% in 2024-2025 and 2025-2026