SPRINGFIELD — With her experience working as a student teacher and struggling to make ends meet, State Senator Natalie Toro is pushing legislation to help new teachers pursue their passions while helping provide financial stability. Her new measure, Senate Bill 2776, creates a Student Teaching Stipend program to further support recipients of the Minority Teacher of Illinois Scholarship Program.  

“It is difficult for young people to pursue a career as a teacher because most will have to work without pay for six months as a student teacher while trying to make ends meet,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This legislation will give more student teachers financial stability and allow them to focus on becoming the future educators of our youngest Illinoisans.”

While the Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program lessens the financial burden on student teachers, it is often not enough to fully support all students, especially those who come from lower-income backgrounds. Senate Bill 2776 would establish the Student Teaching Stipend – beginning in the 2025-2026 school year – to provide financial assistance to MTI student teachers during their year of student teaching.

Currently, the program is administered through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and awards scholarships of up to $5,000 per year to minority students enrolled in a teacher education program at a qualified Illinois college or university. In exchange for their scholarships, recipients are required to teach for one year in Illinois for each scholarship they receive through this program. The teaching obligation must be fulfilled at a nonprofit preschool, elementary or secondary school at which the enrollment is at least 30% minority.  

Under this measure, ISAC would administer the program and determine the amount students would receive on a yearly basis.

 “Having lived the experience of a struggling student teacher, I know this period in a teacher’s life can be discouraging and even cause student teachers to leave the program for their own financial stability,” said Toro. “We should be encouraging teachers to pursue this field and address any deterrents we can. Providing stipends for student teachers is a good place to start.”

Senate Bill 2776 awaits discussion in the spring legislative session.

SPRINGFIELD —With many Illinoisans struggling with rising costs of living, State Senator Natalie Toro introduced an initiative to provide financial relief for low-income families by offering a refundable tax credit in an amount equal to 5% of rental costs for taxpayers.

“Rising costs of living have forced families to make unthinkable sacrifices — like spending less on groceries or heat — to keep a roof over their heads,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This should never be a choice people have to make. This initiative will provide some financial relief to lower-income households to ensure the cost of living is more sustainable for all Illinoisans.”

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, a greater percentage of lower-income households pay more than 20% of their income on rent versus higher-income households. This makes it more difficult for these families to put money toward savings, higher education and necessities such as food and utilities — all of which can seriously impact their quality of life.

To provide more rental assistance to low-income Illinoisans living in high-cost areas, Toro’s bill would give taxpayers with a federal adjusted gross income of 300% or less of the federal poverty level and who spend over 20% of their income on rental payments a tax credit equal to 5% of rental costs. With this credit, working families will be able to invest their hard-earned money on things other than rent and ensure they are not priced out of their neighborhoods.

“My family has lived in the district since my grandfather moved here from Puerto Rico in the 1950s. Our neighborhood has been an amazing community where families have lived for generations, and it has been devastating to watch many of my longtime neighbors be priced out of our community,” said Toro. “We need to make certain rent and housing prices do not displace people who have lived in our neighborhood for decades, and this bill is the first step to do that.”

Senate Bill 2624 awaits discussion in the spring legislative session.

CHICAGO — State Senator Natalie Toro, a former CPS teacher and advocate for well-funded school libraries, announced the Chicago Public School District has received over $89,000 to invest in resources for their libraries, including purchasing books, audiobooks, e-books and multilingual materials, as well as improving the technology and programs they offer students.

“Many CPS students don’t have access to the internet, a computer or comparable materials from their school libraries at home, including books that can be educational, make them feel more seen and understood, or provide an entertaining escape,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “I am glad this grant is affording Chicago schools more money to invest in this important resource.”

Based on a statutory formula, school districts receive $0.885 per student enrolled at each school with a qualified library.  With this calculation, the City of Chicago School District 299 was awarded $89,017.

The School District Library Grant Program supports school library services for over 1 million students enrolled in kindergarten through 12^th grade across the state. Funding for the grants, which are awarded once every fiscal year, comes from the General Reserve Fund and is appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly.

“Libraries provide many essential resources for our students to learn and grow into their full potential,” said Toro. “It is vital that we continue this investment and increase our funding to keep improving and ensuring our kids have access to robust libraries. I look forward to advocating for these important grants in the future.”

For a full list of libraries that received funding, visit the Secretary of State’s website.

CHICAGO — To ensure parents of newborns and young children in the 20^th District have access to essential supplies for early childhood development, State Senator Natalie Toro is hosting a community baby shower on Jan. 28.

“Becoming a parent should be an exciting and joyful time, not a time dominated by stress and uncertainty about access to necessary early childhood products, such as diapers, baby clothes and books and toys that teach children,” said Toro (D-Chicago). “This baby shower will make these important items more accessible and give our neighbors the chance to enjoy these special years.”

Toro’s community baby shower will take place Sunday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon at Concordia Place, located at 3300 N. Whipple St. Parents will be able to take home a variety of early childhood items and useful information from event co-sponsors, including Lurie Children’s Hospital, Concordia Place, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Illinois Treasurer’s office.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to speak about their parenting plans with specialists who can offer tips, such as how to prevent injuries and best practices when laying a baby to sleep. Expecting families will also be able to take home books or toys that can be essential for a child’s early intellectual development— something Senator Toro is especially passionate about.

“As a former kindergarten teacher, I know how important early childhood development is for education outcomes,” said Toro. “I am excited to be able to support parents in this exciting and change-filled time, and provide essential supplies with the help of local organizations.”

For questions about the event, residents can contact Toro’s district office at 773-278-2020.