Special Education Teacher Jobs in Illinois

Special Education Teacher jobs in Illinois are among the most active in the Midwest, with steady demand across public school districts, private therapeutic day schools, and early intervention programs at every level from paraprofessional-to-teacher transitions through lead and department-head roles. Chicago Public Schools, Easterseals, and Clearbrook are among the anchor employers, with the largest concentrations of openings in the Chicago metro, Rockford, and Springfield. Autism spectrum support, emotional and behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities specialists are the most consistently sought sub-areas statewide. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles151+
Top employerChicago Public Schools
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring74
Work type100% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 151+ Special Education Teacher jobs

Teacher Assistant - Special Education Resource (BH) Leave Cover (11/30/26-1/10/27)
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New 6h ago
Teacher Assistant - Special Education Resource (BH) Leave Cover (11/30/26-1/10/27)
Oswego Community Unit School District 308
Montgomery, Illinois
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
Substitute Teaching Certification
1,001-5,000

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Illinois Certified - Special Education Teacher - Emden, IL
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New 8h ago
Illinois Certified - Special Education Teacher - Emden, IL
Lighthouse Therapy LLC
Emden, Illinois
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$45 - $49/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in special education

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Special Education Teacher
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New 9h ago
Special Education Teacher
Ball-Chatham School District
Chatham, Illinois
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$50k - $110k/yr
Master's degree in education

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Special Education Teacher (Long Term Sub)
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Added 3d ago
Special Education Teacher (Long Term Sub)
Indian Prairie School District 204
Aurora, Illinois
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
Special Education Certification
1,001-5,000

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Special Education Teacher (PECT Coordinator)
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Added 3d ago
Special Education Teacher (PECT Coordinator)
Bethalto Community Unit School District 8
Bethalto, Illinois
Administrative & Office Support
Customer Service
Project Management
$45k - $93k/yr
Bachelor's degree in special education

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See All 151+ Special Education Teacher Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Special Education Teacher Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Burbank
6 jobs
Oswego
5 jobs
Romeoville
5 jobs
Elmhurst
4 jobs
Oak Park
4 jobs
Champaign
4 jobs
Aurora
3 jobs
Joliet
3 jobs

Special Education Teacher Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Chicago Public Schools16
  • Oswego Community Unit School District 3087
  • The Menta Education5
  • Burbank School District 1115
  • Elmhurst Community Unit School District 2054

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in special education teacher jobs across Illinois.

  • Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with a Special Education approval from ISBE
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in special education or a closely related field
  • Experience developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs for students
  • Knowledge of Illinois state special education compliance regulations and procedures
  • Ability to collaborate with general education teachers, therapists, and family members
  • Proficiency with assistive technology tools and differentiated instructional strategies

Special Education Teacher Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a special education teacher in Illinois?

To become a special education teacher in Illinois, you must earn a Professional Educator License with a Special Education approval issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. This requires completing an approved teacher preparation program, passing the Illinois Licensure Testing System exams including the Special Education General Curriculum test, and completing student teaching hours. The Illinois State Board of Education oversees all licensing, and candidates apply through the ISBE Educator Licensure Information System.

How much do special education teachers make in Illinois?

Special education teachers in Illinois earn a median of about $62,580 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $42,320 for the lowest 10% to over $100,460 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire special education teachers in Illinois?

Employers hiring special education teachers in Illinois right now include Chicago Public Schools, Oswego Community Unit School District 308, and The Menta Education, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's mix of large urban public districts, private therapeutic day schools, and nonprofit disability-services organizations means hiring is spread across employer types rather than concentrated in a single sector.

Which Illinois cities have the most special education teacher jobs?

Chicago, Burbank, and Oswego have the most special education teacher openings in Illinois. The Chicago metro dominates due to the sheer size of Chicago Public Schools and the dense network of private special education providers in the suburbs, while Rockford and Springfield reflect the staffing needs of their respective regional school districts and state-funded early intervention programs.

Are there remote special education teacher jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of special education teacher openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most of the work requires in-person instruction, therapy co-facilitation, and direct student support. The roles most likely to carry a remote or hybrid component are supervisory positions, special education coordinators, and itinerant consulting roles that focus on compliance review or IEP coaching rather than daily classroom instruction.

How can I get hired as a special education teacher in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying as a special education paraprofessional or instructional aide within a district while completing an Illinois-approved teacher preparation program. Chicago Public Schools and many suburban Cook County districts hire paraprofessionals without a teaching license and offer tuition support partnerships with local universities. Candidates who hold an Illinois substitute teaching license can gain classroom exposure quickly. Completing coursework toward the ISBE Special Education approval and logging student teaching hours in an Illinois placement significantly strengthens applications for junior teaching roles.

Where can I find and apply to special education teacher jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to special education teacher jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings, identify roles that match your license endorsement and preferred district or employer type, and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 151+ Special Education Teacher Jobs in Illinois

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