North Cook News

Sen. Tom Rooney (R-Rolling Meadows) said Republicans have changed their minds on an education program to recruit teachers.

SB2356, sponsored by Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago), amends the Grow Your Own Teach Act and provides that Illinois Board of Education allocate funds to the act for purposes of administering the program and awarding grants.

The bill also would expand the definition of eligible schools to include early childhood programs with less than 60 percent of the children it serves are receiving subsidized care, Martinez detailed at the May 22 Senate floor debate.  

Sen. Tom Rooney (R-Rolling Meadows)

“I know it is no secret that over here on this side of the aisle the Grow Your Own Program is something we have often been resistant to, but we appreciate the work of the sponsor on this bill,” Rooney said.

The bill is a fine add-on that says there are other levels at which individuals going into education might want to teach, said Rooney, adding that the choice gives them a better bang for the buck. Based on the bill text, the consortium would recruit potential candidates for the program who meet certain criteria.

To be considered, a prospective teacher must hold a high school diploma or equivalent, meet the definition of a parent or community leader, display a desire to be an educator in a hard-to-staff school, attend monthly cohort meetings, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and receive financial assistance if needed.  

“In the committee, we all agreed that this is a great addition to a program we always haven’t been supportive of, so I think this initiative is a good one and I encourage a yes vote,” Rooney said.

Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, Martinez didn't even close the bill with any comments, letting the GOP praise speak for itself. 

And it worked, with SB2356 passing unanimously at 49-0 and moving off the Senate floor.