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Substitute Teaching

Becoming a Substitute Teacher for Palos School District 118

To become a Palos 118 substitute teacher you will need:

  1. An Illinois substitute teacher license or professional educator license
  2. Eligibility to substitute in Cook County by passing a medical examination and consenting to a background check
  3. Completed Palos 118 paperwork​​

Obtaining an Illinois substitute teaching license:

To obtain a substitute teaching license, you do not have to hold a teaching license. The only requirement is to possess a bachelor’s degree or higher.

  1. Go to the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) page on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) website to create an account if you do not already have one.
  2. Click on login into ELIS account under Educator Access tab.
  3. Click on Click Here for First Time Access to the ELIS System to create an ELIS account.
  4. Once your ELIS account is created, select Apply for Substitute License on the right hand side of the page.
  5. Complete the application, (questionnaire, etc…).
  6. Submit $50 license fee for the Substitute Teacher Application OR $25 license fee for the Short-Term Substitute Teacher Application. Currently ISBE will refund your license fee if 10 days of substitute teaching are completed in your first year.  Visit the ISBE link for detailed information. 
  7. Per the ELIS instructions, promptly contact your college and request them to submit sealed transcripts (fees may apply) to:   Illinois State Board of Education, Educator Licensure 100 N. 1st Street Springfield, IL 62777
  8. Once ISBE receives the transcripts, you will receive an email indicating your status as a licensed substitute.

Obtaining Cook County Substitute Eligibility

  1. You will need this Health Examination Form completed by a medical provider prior to your fingerprinting appointment. Bring the completed form with you to your fingerprinting appointment (fees may apply).
  2. Once you have your state license and medical exam, schedule a fingerprinting appointment ($55 fee applies) with the South Cook Service Center at 253 W Joe Orr Road, Chicago Heights 708-754-6600. Once the fingerprinting and background check is completed, you will receive a packet of documents confirming your eligibility as a substitute teacher in Cook County.

Completing Palos 118 Paperwork:

  1. Go to employment tab at Palos118.org to complete and submit online substitute teacher application. (Job 307)
  2. Bring your eligibility documentation from the South Cook Service Center to the Palos 118 Central Office at 8800 W 119th St, Palos Park along with two forms of identification, and a voided check. There you will complete tax documents to receive payments for your substitute assignment.
  3. You will be added to the online substitute request portal AESOP, and will be provided a username and password for access. Through this portal you can accept substitute assignments in Palos 118. You will receive $150/day for teacher positions and $115/day for paraprofessional positions.