IFT President Dan Montgomery released the following statement today after Governor Pritzker signed a bill that raises the statutory minimum teacher salary to $40,000 (HB 2078).
“We have a teacher shortage in our state, and research shows that fair compensation plays a major factor in a person's decision to choose and stay in a profession,” said IFT President Dan Montgomery. “Too often new teachers struggle financially, and many are forced to work a second job to make ends meet. This legislation is a major step in improving starting salaries and paying teachers based upon their years of education, which will encourage high-quality professionals to enter and stay in the profession. We thank Senator Manar and Representative Stuart for advancing this much-needed bill and Governor Pritzker for signing it into law.”
A number of IFT members and teacher advocates attended the bill signing.
Michelle Anderson – Champaign Federation of Teachers membership coordinator; 21-year middle school reading specialist teacher
Chuck Noud – President of Granite City Federation of Teachers; 20-year band teacher
Brandi Many – 15-year AP physics teacher in Quincy
Spencer Saal – President of Madison Federation of Teachers; 10-year high school science teacher
Kate Schumacher – IFT Field Service Director; 18-year English teacher, Quincy
Jen White – IFT Field Service Director; 18-year middle school science teacher
Michelle Paul – Director of the IFT Department of Political Activities
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