A new study from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools (IARSS) indicates that school districts in the southwestern portion of Illinois are having difficulty with hiring teachers and substitute teachers. Sixty-one southwest Illinois school districts responded to the 2020 Illinois Educator Shortage Study and 87 percent indicated a teacher shortage issue with rural areas being more affected. The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the substitute teacher shortage with 60 percent of districts that responded stating the substitute teacher shortage is a serious issue in their area. Read more…