Even with such incentives as a $40,000 minimum salary, Illinois’ teacher shortage continues.

“I was very proud to pass that law,” said State Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville). “It was very important to make sure that a living wage is really the base minimum requirement for the job, but we also have to make sure that they are respected for the work that they do and that they have a retirement that they can count on.”

Eight other House Democrats are on the working group, which has no expiration date.

Stuart said she taught for twenty years, and a lack of investment in education was consistently a frustration for her; she hopes that now she is out of the classroom and in the Statehouse, she can help change that.