A press release from State Rep. Barbara Wheeler:

Wheeler Takes up Sponsorship of Vocational Bill

Springfield, IL… Always a proponent for our children and education, State Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) has taken up chief co-sponsorship of a bill that will allow schools to hire trained professionals to teach certain vocations.

House Bill 1868 will allow the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board to issue provisional teaching certificates to vocational professionals with a unique skill to teach those skills at Illinois public schools.

“Education needs to focus on preparing our children for the real world,” said Wheeler.

“Illinois has resources in people with unique skills that could help prepare children for the profession they seek. People with 20 to 30 years of experience in agriculture, engineering, or aerospace do not need to go back to college to teach a field they are an expert.”

Provisional teaching certificates are set to expire on July 1 of this year.

Should the law be allowed to sunset, school districts with hired professionals teaching vocational skills would be forces to lay off these teachers. Wheeler is aiming to protect these jobs and help prepare children for adult life.

“Manufacturers across Illinois are asking we allow these dedicated professions to continue to teach our children valuable life skills,” said Wheeler. “This bill will allow these field experts to continue to provide this essential public service.”