Agriculture education teachers in Illinois will now be compensated for the extra hours they put in outside the classroom.

Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1605 into law on Friday. The measure, sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner of Springfield, requires school districts to pay agriculture teachers their full hourly rate if they work 400 or more extra hours beyond their regular teaching schedule.

Turner says the law recognizes the time teachers spend helping students learn about agriculture outside of class. Leaders in ag education say the change will support teachers and help prepare the next generation of agricultural workers.

The law takes effect immediately.