Working for Illinois Caucus

Most teachers advance professionally not just through experience, but additional formal education. If those courses don’t translate into real improvements for their instructional practice, it wastes their own time and money outside the classroom.

That’s why states like Illinois, Ohio, and Kansas are tightening criteria for the credits teachers use to boost their salaries, in part to deter so-called “credit mill” programs with rapid, low-quality professional development courses. In particular, a new Illinois law in effect this school year may provide a model for rethinking education credits in teacher salaries.

“The courses that are sometimes available by shady operators may be good for personal well-being—the kind to give you tips for coping with stress—but it doesn’t really rise to graduate-level education,” said Democratic Rep. Katie Stuart, a former high school math teacher and the assistant majority leader who co-sponsored the law in the Illinois General Assembly. “I think it diminishes the profession if those things are counted the same as real courses on pedagogy and teaching methods or advanced work in the subject matter that you teach.”

Most school districts nationwide pay teachers through a structure in which a teacher moves up a “step” for each year of teaching experience, and over a “lane” for each level of education above what’s required to be licensed.

Illinois is one of 15 states that explicitly require districts to pay teachers more money for earning a master’s degree—and more than 9 in 10 large school districts nationwide offer such premiums to teachers, according to 2026 data from the National Council on Teacher Quality.

Now, for licensed Illinois teachers to use a course to move to a higher salary lane, it must:

• Be offered through a regionally accredited higher education institution;
• Be taught by a credentialed teacher with at least a master’s degree and expertise in the subject area of the course; and
• Earn graduate degree credit on an official academic transcript.

However, the new law does not stop teachers from earning separate pay bumps for microcredentials or additional certifications.

“To me, it’s pretty important for a state or a district to establish what counts toward salary advancement,” said Jim Hall, chief executive officer of the K-12 Coalition, which represents professional development and teacher certification companies, who testified about teacher PD in March during a hearing on the Illinois bill.

The Albion Institute (formerly the Albion Center at Idaho State University) was one of the programs noted in discussions of the Illinois law, for providing self-paced online courses. Albion notes that a one-credit class represents 15 hours of instructional work, but education officials in Illinois, as well as in Ohio and Kansas, have banned the program from being used for licensure renewal after reports of three-credit-hour courses taking anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes.

The Albion Institute said in a statement that it has launched a pilot to “verify alignment between course learning outcomes, program learning outcomes, and accreditation standards” and has added new “PD+" courses intended to meet accreditation standards.

Under traditional Carnegie units, which measure instructional time to calculate credit, a three-credit-hour, graduate-level course typically includes about 45 hours of instruction, along with time for reflection and classwork.

“We wanted to make sure that if teachers are paying for credits—if they’re putting their time and money in—that those can translate ultimately into a master’s degree or a certification,” Stuart said.

Teacher PD should be linked with boosting student achievement

But experts argue state restrictions on credit structure may not go far enough to align teacher professional development with actual instructional improvements.

Heather Peske, executive director of the National Council on Teacher Quality, said she thought the Illinois law could help curb low-quality professional development providers. But overall, she said, providing salary bumps for master’s degrees has shown little evidence of improving student achievement unless the courses are tailored to boosting teachers’ subject-matter expertise in secondary school.

Some states, such as North Carolina, have moved away from education-based salary lane changes, focusing instead on creating ladders for teacher leadership and mentoring positions.

“When deciding courses that should be approved for salary advancement, [district] leaders need to say, ‘all right, what is our strategic plan? If it’s to improve adolescent literacy scores, I am going to approve courses that sit within our strategic objectives for that district,’” Hall said. “That is the next level of oversight that a school district should have in what they approve for teachers.”

As a former high school math teacher, Stuart, the Illinois representative, said college courses in related fields, such as physics and economics, helped broaden her expertise in her subject area, and noted many teachers also seek advanced degrees in subjects like psychology and behavioral development.

“Our understanding of the brain is growing constantly,” she said. “It’s just a natural interest of a lot of teachers wanting to keep up to date on understanding the latest developments.”

Three local groups are getting funds with the help of a local lawmaker. State Representative Amy “Murri” Briel said the money is through the Illinois Arts Council to keep the “arts” alive.

Among the recipients are North Central Illinois ARTworks. They’ll receive a $5000 check for educational outreach, art space developments and local artist support. Five thousand dollars is headed to Starved Rock Country Community Foundation to fund non-profits, schools, museums and libraries in the area. Finally, Hall High School will receive an investment to replace worn equipment, studio seating and storage units for a safe and functional learning environment.  

Briel stated the “Illinois Valley is home to so many influential programs through our schools, organizations and community spaces that inspires residents.”

ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (August 20, 2026) — As families continue to feel the impact of rising costs, local non-profit Soles for Children is preparing to provide free winter essentials to nearly 1,100 children during two community events in September.

The annual Shoes and Coat Giveaway will take place Sunday, September 20, 2-5PM, at the Martin Luther King Jr Community Center, 630 9th Street, Rock Island, followed by a second event Sunday, September 27, 2-5PM, at the Lincoln Center, 318 East 7th Street, Davenport.

Approximately 600 children are expected at the Rock Island event, with another 400 to 500 children expected in Davenport.

Children will receive free coats, shoes, hats and gloves. There will also be free Happy Joe’s pizza, haircuts, hair styling, press-on nails, a DJ, and other activities. Parents must be present with their children to receive items.

“It’s so diverse, we get all kinds of different people,” said Erwin King, founder of Soles for Children.

“It shows that the community needs it and that makes me happy because we’re helping everybody.”

King said the need has grown as families face higher costs for everyday necessities.

“Even people who are making decent money are struggling right now,” King said. “Many people are turning to DoorDash, Uber, Amazon Flex. . . getting second jobs just to get by. It’s been a rough year and everybody has felt it.”

For families with several children, the cost of new coats and shoes can quickly add up.

“That’s a lot to afford, on top of bills and groceries. We’re definitely making a change and helping people out,” King said.

The non-profit has a storage unit with supplies in sizes for children of all ages but is continuing to seek donations.

“I started collecting in January, but this year I’ve had a harder time getting coats and shoes,” King said.

“With the cost of everything going up, I’ve been driving all over. I’ve hit every Walmart from here to Aledo. I go where the sales go.”

The giveaway has become a community-wide effort, with sponsors and volunteers continuing to support the event despite the challenging year.

“The community is getting involved, from neighbors, to doctors and lawyers. Senator Mike Halpin and Representative Gregg Johnson come every year, helping kids try on coats and shoes,” King said.

“Everyone knows there’s a need and they’re jumping in on it.”

Soles for Children also provides outreach throughout the year, including a program for teens to mentor younger kids.

“It’s not just about the event… getting a coat, shoes, eating and leave,” King said.

“We want to share the message that we care about you, we’re here to support you and you can feel free to reach out to us year-round.”

For more information, to volunteer or to support Soles for Children, contact Erwin King at 309-292-3210, or e-mail erwinking51@gmail.com.

About Soles for Children:

Soles for Children is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving the Quad Cities whose mission is to make sure that no children go without shoes, coats, mittens, socks, and hats. It was started by East Moline resident Erwin King who saw a need in his community and stepped in to make a difference. For more information about Soles for Children, visit solesforchildreninc.com.

State Representative Stephanie Kifowit could be making a return to local politics.

The Kendall County Democrats say that Kifowit is gathering petition signatures to run for the Oswego Village Board among other returning candidates in 2027.

Kifowit is not seeking reelection to the Illinois Statehouse. She had failed to win the Democratic nomination in a run for Illinois Comptroller earlier this year.

Kifowit is no stranger to local politics having served on the Aurora City council in the past.

Also looking to return to the ballot for April of 2027 are Democratic Village President Ryan Kauffman, and trustees Karin McCarthy-Lange and Andrew Torres.

Kifowit recently announced that she’s taking a post as Executive Director of the Construction Industry Service Corporation, a labor management group serving building trade unions.

State Representative Amy Murri Briel had lots to say at her Town Hall in Peru on Thursday.

Briel is bothered by some local residents traveling a considerable distance to see a medical specialist that accepts Medicaid. Many of them make the trip using NCAT – the local transport service – which limits NCAT, said the Ottawa Democrat:

One solution to this, says Briel, might be the state overseeing the financial viability of hospital’s and healthcare systems. The first term Democrat said legislation is in the works that would place a heavier responsibility on A.I. Data Centers as far as power usage.

Briel, who again will face challenger Liz Bishop in November, spoke on hate speech and free speech. Referencing the recent interest in a closed rural Sheridan resort becoming a Muslim community, Briel said everyone has the right of free speech. But, certain speech could be interpreted as bullying. If that’s the case, it would be a matter for the Attorney General.

State Representatives Jay Hoffman and Christopher Belt recently secured funding to address flooding in the area. The $3 million in state funds will support SIU’s Office of Community Engagement to create a solution.

SIU will work with federal agencies, congressional offices, and the community to find a good plan among the fragmented ideas that exist now. They will focus on increasing stormwater storage. Because of the Riverbend’s geography, it is uniquely vulnerable to dangerous flooding—and some of the worst flooding has been in the last few years.

This funding will empower the plans that protect the area from dangerous flooding.