Barbara Isabel Hernandez, State Representative for 83rd District (D) | https://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=103&MemberID=3159
Barbara Isabel Hernandez, State Representative for 83rd District (D) | https://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?GA=103&MemberID=3159
According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Creates emergency rulemaking procedures for the student teaching stipend program. Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes a person to establish optional credit for periods of service as a student teacher under a specified provision of the Board of Higher Education Act. In provisions requiring an additional employer contribution for certain salary increases greater than 6%, provides that the System shall exclude any stipends paid to an eligible cooperating teacher under the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Creates the student teaching stipend program. Defines terms. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of Higher Education of all eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers who qualify for the stipend program. Creates requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating teacher who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report in collaboration with the State Board of Education evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances subject to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately."
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill introduces amendments to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, Illinois Pension Code, and Board of Higher Education Act to establish and implement a student teaching stipend program. Designed to mitigate financial burdens on student teachers and encourage teaching professions amidst state shortages, the program funds stipends of up to $10,000 per semester for eligible students and up to $2,000 per semester for cooperating teachers, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria and obligations. The Board of Higher Education will manage fund distribution, collaborating with educator preparation programs and the State Board of Education, focusing on financial need and surplus or deficit adjustments. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for creditable service computations, state contributions, and application of new benefit increases within existing pension structures. The bill's various measures include stipulations for recalculating contributions, setting emergency rules, and issuing performance and financial reports to ensure transparency and accountability. This act is effective immediately upon enactment.
Hernandez graduated from Aurora University in 2014 with a BA.
Barbara Hernandez is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 50th House District. She replaced previous state representative Linda Chapa LaVia in 2023.
Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.
You can read more about bills and other measures here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB1375 | 01/15/2025 | Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Creates emergency rulemaking procedures for the student teaching stipend program. Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Authorizes a person to establish optional credit for periods of service as a student teacher under a specified provision of the Board of Higher Education Act. In provisions requiring an additional employer contribution for certain salary increases greater than 6%, provides that the System shall exclude any stipends paid to an eligible cooperating teacher under the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Creates the student teaching stipend program. Defines terms. Provides that an educator preparation program shall notify the Board of Higher Education of all eligible students and eligible cooperating teachers who qualify for the stipend program. Creates requirements for the disbursement of stipend funds under the program. Provides that an educator preparation program may not prohibit an eligible student from participating in the stipend program or from receiving a stipend from the stipend program. Requires an eligible cooperating teacher who receives a stipend to complete specific training. Requires the Board to issue a report in collaboration with the State Board of Education evaluating the impact of the stipend program. Permits the Board to adopt emergency rules regarding the administration of the stipend program in certain circumstances subject to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately. |
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