IL SB3598

Expands the definition of "hard-to-staff school" under the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program to include schools without a school report card that serve student populations where 30% or more are low-income, as determined by available enrollment or funding data.

Prohibits the State Board of Education from denying National Board certified teachers a retention bonus solely because their school lacks a school report card.

Allows the State Board to use alternative enrollment or funding data to determine low-income status for schools that do not have school report cards.

Maintains the existing $4,000 annual retention bonus for 2 consecutive years for National Board certified teachers in hard-to-staff schools.