New law allows students time off to vote

State Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) credits high school kids with a new law that allows schoolchildren of age time away from class to vote. (PHOTO: WJBC File Photo)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – May I be excused? I have to go vote.

That’s now the law in Illinois schools. High school students old enough to vote are now entitled to up to two hours away from class to cast a ballot – even during early voting.

The sponsor, State Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), says high school students brought him the idea and recalls a committee hearing at which Republicans pushed back.

“One of the young people said to me, ‘Why do they not want to give us the opportunity to have a say?’” Sims said at Wednesday’s bill signing. “I said, ‘You just got a lesson in civics. You got a lesson in there are some who do not want everybody to have an opportunity to make a difference.’”

The students involved are from Thornton Fractional North in Calumet City, where the governor signed the bill.

The school does have the ability to determine when the student may vote.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…