City and State Leaders Launch Campaign for Universal Access to After School Programs in Illinois

CHICAGO, April 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by ACT Now!

What: Representatives from the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and after school providers throughout the state will launch a campaign in support of legislation that would make universal access to after school programs state policy.

Who: Mary Ellen Caron, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services

Chris Koch, Superintendent, Illinois State Board of Education

Ron Huberman, CEO Chicago Public Schools

Kristin Allen, Director, Illinois Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs

Kathy Ryg, President, Voices for Illinois Children

When: April 12, 2010. 11:00 am to 1:15 pm

Where: Chicago Cultural Center – G.A.R. Hall, 77 E. Randolph St., Chicago

Why: 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.  Yet on any given day, three-quarters of Chicago public high school students cannot access programs due to insufficient funding.

A new bill, which has passed both chambers of the Illinois legislature and is pending final approval, will establish universal access to afterschool programs as state policy and take necessary first steps, such as establishing standards for best practices and evaluating program results.

ACT Now! (Afterschool for Children and Teens Now) is a campaign to give all young people in Illinois access to quality afterschool 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!