SPRINGFIELD – Educators in rural Illinois would have a means of advising one another and recommending changes to Illinois education policy to help their communities under a plan by State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) to form a Rural School Advisory Council.

“Education is not one-size-fits-all,” Koehler said. “It is crucial that we ensure that educators from our rural communities have a seat at the table and a say in the decisions, because they know how we can best serve rural schools through meaningful education legislation.”

The council would provide a platform where educators have the ability to exchange thoughtful dialogue concerning the needs, challenges, and opportunities of rural districts and to provide policy recommendations to the State.

“Students all across Illinois deserve to have the same opportunities when it comes to their education, whether they live in the suburbs, our southern-most cities or anywhere in between,” Koehler said. “The establishment of this council will be an important step in that direction.”

SB 1819 is slated for consideration before the full Senate.