Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Here’s another attempt to solve Illinois’ teacher shortage: a proposed payment for student teachers.

“As we all know, we have a shortage of teachers. This would help them as an incentive to continue,” said the sponsor, State Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora). “Currently, there’s no stipend program for the teachers. It’s pretty much an unpaid internship.”

Concerns included the program’s absence from the state budget. State Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates) said that makes Hernandez’ bill an “empty promise.”

“Are we going to do this for the electrical contractors, the plumbers, pipefitters, everybody, or are we going to do it just for the teachers?” asked State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City). Wilhour is such an opponent of teachers’ unions that those unions funded a primary opponent against him this year.

The stipend would be $10,000 a semester for the student teacher and $2,000 a semester for the mentor teacher.

HB 4652 has passed the House, 85-23.