Report: 20,000 Illinois Teachers Could Lose Jobs

9,800 Teachers Are Already Out, Many More Layoffs Are Planned

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) ―

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The state's funding crisis has already put 9,800 teachers on the unemployment line, and a coalition of education groups warns that figure could more than double.

Schools must tell employees now whether their jobs will be cut next year. Officials from the six-group coalition said they have heard from 75 percent of Illinois school districts and they plan more than 17,000 layoffs.

The coalition says it expects the total to reach 20,000 when complete information is available.

The layoffs could be canceled if schools get additional money. Education advocates want state officials to raise taxes, as Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed.

The groups include the Association of School Administrators, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the Illinois Education Association and more.

In a news release, Brent Clark said the data only reflect job losses, not other cuts in Illinois schools.

"The situation is far worse when we factor in elimination and reduction of hundreds of programs in sports and music and school activities that are so beneficial to students," Clark said in a news release.

Currently, schools that responded to the coalition's survey say they are planning to cut 9,764 certified staff, 1,597 retirees who will not be replaced, and 5,867 non-certified staff, for a total of 17,228 job losses, the news release said.

The groups include the Association of School Administrators, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the Illinois Education Association and other organizations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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