Illinois isn’t alone in the struggle to find teachers. But lawmakers are trying to take steps to ease the shortage. 

Four new laws to lessen the burdens on teachers and school districts were signed Wednesday. One new bill allows for substitute teachers to stay in the same classroom for 15 days– up from five. State School Superintendent Carmen Ayala says they’ve done a lot over the past few years to attract new teachers but the need for more teachers remains.

She says the state has attracted 5600 new teachers in the past year.