Central Illinois schools receive state grant funding to help with hiring of teachers

PEORIA, Ill. – A pair of Peoria County school districts are receiving some help from the state to help hire teachers.

The Illinois State Board of Education has awarded 2027 Teacher Vacancy Grants to 100 districts to help address educator shortages.

Peoria Public Schools and Dunlap CUSD 323 were the Peoria County recipients.  PPS received $208,412 while Dunlap received $97,430.

CUSD 3 Fulton County in Cuba was the only other Peoria-area recipient, getting $58,346.

Eligible districts were identified by analyzing unfilled full-time equivalent teaching positions and applying criteria, such as Evidence-Based Funding tier status and geographic considerations.