SPRINGFIELD - Formal schooling just doesn't begin early enough in Illinois, lawmakers say. Thirteen Democrat House members and one Republican are convinced that the state of Illinois should require all children to enroll in school at age six, down one year from the current age of seven.
HB 2762 is sponsored by Rep. Sue Scherer - Monique D. Davis - Silvana Tabares - Michelle Mussman - Barbara Flynn Currie,Deborah Conroy, Jehan A. Gordon-Booth, Laura Fine, Deborah Mell, Stephanie A Kifowit, Kathleen Willis, Mary E. Flowers, Robert W. Pritchard and Linda Chapa LaVia. The bill was assigned to the House Elementary and Secondary Committee March 4, and is awaiting a hearing.
In the Senate, State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Chicago) is pushing a similar bill lowering Illinois compulsory attendance age down to age five.
SB 1307 has passed the Senate Education Committee in February and is ready for a floor vote at any time. It is co-sponsored by Sen. Kwame Raoul - Michael Noland - Jacqueline Y. Collins.
