Illinois’ Educator Workforce Weathered Pandemic, But Persistent Issue…

A panel of education and policy experts speaks at an event hosted by the City Club of Chicago. Pictured left to right: Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, Illinois State Board of Education Chief of Staff Kimako Patterson, 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year Briana Morales and Advance Illinois board member Shayne Evans. (Andrew Adams / Capitol News Illinois)

SPRINGFIELD — The supply of education professionals continues to improve in Illinois despite strains brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, but persistent issues remain in certain regions of the state and within some teaching fields.

That’s the conclusion of a new report by the education advocacy group Advance Illinois, which was instrumental in the 2017 passage of the state’s Evidence-Based Funding formula that overhauled the way state funds public education.

“This is really critical for children,” Advance Illinois president Robin Steans said in an interview for the Capitol Cast podcast. “There’s literally nothing more…