Landmark Legislation for Universal Access to After School Passes Legislature; Goes to Governor's Desk

CHICAGO, May 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Legislation that sets the stage for universal access to after school programs for Illinois youth now moves to the Governor's desk after passing overwhelmingly in the Illinois House of Representatives. The bill was passed with large margins in the Senate earlier in April.  

The Illinois Afterschool Youth Development Program Act (SB 3543) establishes, for the first time, universal access to after school programs as state policy. It also creates a Youth Development Council, which is mandated to implement the Act. First steps by the Council will include an inventory all state-funded after school programs, and establishing standards for best practices and evaluating program results.

Across the state, after school programs have a proven track record of promoting positive youth development, fostering positive relationships with adults and peers, discouraging delinquent behavior, and improving academic achievement. Youth with high levels of participation in after school programs have lower drop-out rates and higher graduation rates and miss fewer days of school. However, three in four young people in Illinois don't have access to after school programs.

The Act will be subject to appropriations; however organizations are working to obtain private funding for implementing the early stages of the Act.

"Across the state, after school programs have a proven track record of promoting positive youth development, fostering positive relationships with adults and peers, discouraging delinquent behavior, and improving academic achievement.   Youth with high levels of participation in after school programs have lower drop-out rates and higher graduation rates and miss fewer days of school," said Kathy Ryg, President, Voices for Illinois Children.

"A decade ago, the General Assembly recognized the importance of pre-K and early childhood education and acted to bring rigor to the design and delivery of these programs. We urge the General Assembly to pass the Illinois Afterschool Youth Development Program Act and ensure that the investments that we make in the early childhood years will be sustained over a child's development up through adolescence and into adulthood," said Mary Ellen Caron, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services.

"While school is an important part of every child's life, what a student does when they are away from school can be even more important. We understand that not all learning takes place in a school building. We know high quality after school programs can provide students with supplemental learning and creative outlets. We also know that for all too many students these after school programs provide them with a place to be safe," said State Superintendent of Education, Christopher A. Koch.

ACT Now! (Afterschool for Children and Teens Now) is a campaign to give all young people in Illinois access to quality after school programs. Its members include Illinois families, educators, business leaders, community advocates, youth organizations, and government who believe that an increased commitment to young people beyond the traditional school day is a crucial part of their growth into productive, healthy adults.

SOURCE ACT Now!