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At the beginning of 2020, the number of Illinois teachers opting for retirement was down from previous years, but after schools shut down in the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic, those numbers climbed.

Typically, the “retirement season” for teachers is between January and June, according to Dave Urbanek, director of communications for the Teachers Retirement System of Illinois. In 2020, though, there was a spike of out-of-season retirements in July, August and September after many districts started announcing their return to learn plans for the fall.

August 2020 saw a 67% increase in teacher retirements from the two Augusts prior, with 217 teachers retiring across the state. In August 2019, 174 teachers retired, and in August 2018, 140 did. July 2020 showed a 38% increase in retirements from the two years prior, and September 2020 had a 34% increase.

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Statewide, more teachers have retired in 2020 than in 2019 or 2018, but the year-to-year difference is not as stark. In 2020, 4,059 Illinois teachers retired, compared to 3,699 in 2019 and 3,869 in 2018.

Compared to the 2018–2019 average, total retirements have risen 7% in 2020.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 11:12 am

Comments

I’ll borrow a line from the Cubs here. “Wait till next year.” Those who retired at the end of the last school year had to make that decision early on in the pandemic.

Comment by kidz Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 11:29 am
The real facts are often buried in the last paragraph.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 12:54 pm
I substitute sometimes but was never a teacher in school as such. Frankly it simply does not pay enough given the responsibility. Some now will pay $95 a day. That is just not enough to get things going. At $120 I would be more willing. I am not without experience either. Subs can get lucky or it can be horrible.

Comment by cler dcn Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 1:34 pm
Is that year-to-date over year-to-date or is that comparing 2020 to date against all of 2019 and 2018?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 19, 20 @ 1:40 pm