The compulsory minimum school age for students in Illinois is lowered from seven years to six years effective July 1, 2014, as a result of legislation passed the Illinois General Assembly. Public Act 098-0544 requires all children in Illinois between the ages of six and 17 to attend school, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

“I am happy to say that Chicago and many other communities in the Eighth District and across the state of Illinois have full day kindergarten available to begin building the foundation for a successful school career. I strongly urge parents to take advantage of the new law and enroll their child or children in an academic program to give them a fair chance to be productive members of their families and to help strengthen the weaknesses of humanity,” said State Representative La Shawn Ford.

This new law will help to reduce truancy and will strengthen a child’s ability to grasp the critical foundation of basic skills for a successful school career,” said Ford. Article 10 of Illinois’ Constitution provides that a fundamental goal of the people of the state of Illinois
is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities. For more information, contact one of Ford’s constituent service offices: 816 S. Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park at 708-445-3673, 4800 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago at 773-378-5902 or in the Stratton Office Building in Springfield at 217-782-5962.