A new state law allows state education authorities to suspend a teacher’s license, if he/she is charged with serious crimes, including violent felonies, sexual and drug offenses.
That will prevent accused educators from obtaining employment at any other school while under investigation for attempting, conspiring, soliciting or committing such crimes. The teacher’s license would be reinstated, if acquitted of the charges.
Previously, the state board had to wait until criminal proceedings were concluded before suspending or revoking a teacher’s license, officials said.
This new law aims to strengthen those protections and provides school districts additional tools to avert misconduct by educators, said state Rep. Fred Crespo, a Hoffman Estates Democrat and the legislation’s lead House sponsor.
