SPRINGFIELD ─ State Senator Ram Villivalam is leading the charge with a measure aimed at providing alternate learning pathways for schools selected as polling places.
“Utilizing schools as polling places provides increased access and availability for residents to exercise their civic duty,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “But we must work to ensure not only the safety of the public, but students, staff and teachers who normally utilize the building without interrupting education attendance requirements.”
Currently, if a school is selected to be a polling places, the school district is required to make the school available for use with the option of either closing the school or having only teachers present in the building during the time of polling.
To ensure youth and community safety, House Bill 4535 would allow schools to use an e-learning day when the school is selected as a polling place. The e-learning day would not count toward the district's minimum number of emergency days.
“By allowing schools to use an e-learning day when their building is being utilized as a polling place, we are ensuring the safety of our community while supporting continued access to education for our youth,” said Villivalam.
House Bill 4535 passed the Senate Education Committee Thursday and now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.
