“This new law streamlines the process for qualified speech pathologists to practice in our schools,” said Bertino-Tarrant, D-Shorewood. “Speech pathologists undergo intensive educational programs and thorough testing.”

The state legislator argued schools across the country are struggling to find speech language pathologists to work in schools, due in part to the limited number of openings in graduate programs and the increased need as the profession’s scope of practice increases and symptoms of autism are better detected.

Bertino-Tarrant cited the Illinois Educator Supply and Demand Report, which found that in 2017 there were 124 unfilled non-teaching speech language pathologist positions in the state. She added that, as the chair of the Senate’s Education Committee, she’s advocated for legislation to address educator shortages in Illinois schools.

The law passed both chambers of the General Assembly with unanimous support and goes into effect Jan. 1.