|
 The Illinois House of
Representatives has overrode Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of legislation mandating
cursive writing instruction in public elementary schools.
The bill, introduced by state Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, with 32
co-sponsors, passed the House by a 67-48 margin April 26 and originally mandated
cursive instruction in both public elementary and high schools. The bill then
passed the Senate 41-15 May 30 with an amendment removing high schools from the
mandate. Rauner vetoed the measure Sept. 22, and the House overrode that veto by
a 77-36 margin Oct. 25. It now heads to the Senate.
 The legislation amends the school code to provide: “Beginning with the 2018-2019
school year, public elementary schools shall offer at least one unit of
instruction in cursive writing. School districts shall, by policy, determine at
what grade level or levels students are to be offered cursive writing, provided
that such instruction must be offered before students complete grade 5.”
[to top of second column] |
The fiscal note
accompanying the legislation as it was originally introduced said
passage of the bill will “have a fiscal impact on school districts;
however, the specific amount is not known.”
Imposing an unknown cost
on school districts – and by extension, taxpayers – is irresponsible
given the high tax burden Illinoisans face at the local level, in no
small part due to administrative bloat in school districts and
mandates from Springfield. Senators, who will soon take up the
measure, would be wise to sustain Rauner’s veto.
With one of the highest tax burdens in the nation, Illinoisans can’t
take on another unnecessary cost. Lawmakers should instead use their
time to do the opposite: work at giving Illinoisans tax relief with
comprehensive property tax reform and cutting waste.
Click here to respond to the editor about this article
 |
