IL SB1878

Creates a student teaching stipend program through the Board of Higher Education providing eligible student teachers up to $10,000 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters to address the state's teacher shortage

Provides eligible cooperating teachers (licensed teachers matched with student teachers) stipends of up to $2,000 per semester for up to 2 consecutive semesters, contingent on completing state-approved evidence-based training

Amends the Illinois Pension Code to allow student teachers to establish optional pension credit for their student teaching service and excludes cooperating teacher stipends from salary increase calculations that trigger additional employer pension contributions

Requires the Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, to evaluate the program's impact on educator preparation program enrollment, completion rates, hiring rates, and retention rates after three consecutive years of funding at $2,000,000 or more

Authorizes emergency rulemaking procedures for program implementation, with the emergency rulemaking provision set to expire one year after the Act's effective date