Carbondale Reporter

In a June 24 Facebook post, Rep. Paul Jacobs shared some news from Southern Illinois University Carbondale regarding teacher education.

“Southern Illinois University Carbondale is launching a new online undergraduate program in elementary education this fall for working professionals, as part of its efforts to do everything possible to address teacher shortages,” Jacobs wrote on Facebook.

Ballotpedia noted there were 130,467 teachers in public schools in Illinois, adding that there was approximately one teacher for every 15 students.

In his Facebook post, Jacobs shared a link to an SIU Carbondale news release about a new online teaching degree program. The new program focuses on elementary education and will launch this fall, according to the news release. A second new program focuses on organizational learning, innovation and development. These two join two other programs in early childhood education and special education, which launched in Fall 2021 and Fall 2022. These programs are geared toward Illinois teaching licensure but can be of help to students in other states too.

“Parents and children deserve schools that are fully staffed with quality educators,” Governor J.B. Pritzker said at a press conference to announce the new grant program, according to Chalk Beat.

In March 2023, Pritzker announced funding for a proposed "Teacher Pipeline Grant Program” that will send $210 million over a three-year period to Illinois school districts with the “greatest need to fill teaching positions.” In the release, Pritzker said: "All across the nation, school districts are fighting the impact of teacher shortages — as education professionals struggle to weigh their passion for their classrooms with their own mental, financial, and personal wellbeing. So as part of my education investment plan, I'm proposing an additional $70 million annually specifically targeted at addressing teacher shortages."

Illinois Republicans championed opinions against Pritzker’s signing of the 2023 Fiscal Budget. Within the budget, the state will give $350 million to K-12 public schools.

The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools released the 2022-2023 Illinois Educator Shortage Study on Jan. 28, 2023. The report shows that 30% of positions for special education, teachers, and support staff are unfilled. There are 2,728 positions open or filled with someone who doesn’t fit the qualifications. And 68% of the school districts in the state reported that they received fewer applications for fall 2022 than in the previous year. The report also outlines things that can be done now and in the future to address the educator shortage.

Vote Smart noted Jacobs has a strong voting record of voting against education policies. Jacobs voted against establishing full day kindergarten for school districts.

Jacobs was elected to represent the people of the 115th District in 2020 and currently represents the people of the 118th District. He is an optometrist, winery owner and veteran of the U.S. Navy.