SPRINGFIELD ─ A new law spearheaded by State Senate Ram Villivalam will provide alternate learning pathways for schools selected as polling places.
“Voting is a fundamental right for citizens, and we need to continue to prioritize residents’ ability and access to cast their vote,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “But we need to ensure community safety during the process, especially when a school is utilized as a polling place.”
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.
The new law will ensure youth and community safety by allowing schools to use an e-learning day when the school is selected as a polling place. The e-learning day will not count toward the district's minimum number of emergency days.
"When school buildings serve as polling places, districts are forced to balance public access with the responsibility to maintain secure learning environments. ED-RED and LEND are proud to have led the advocacy effort behind HB4535, a commonsense measure that provides school districts with greater operational flexibility by allowing them to use an e-learning day without sacrificing an emergency day. We applaud the General Assembly and Governor Pritzker for recognizing the importance of providing districts with practical tools to protect students, staff, and the integrity of the school day," said ED-RED.
“Providing alternative pathways for learning for schools utilized as polling locations will ensure community safety and prioritize civic participation – without jeopardizing student success,” said Villivalam.
House Bill 4535 was signed into law last month and takes effect Jan. 1.
