Patch Flash: Illinois Considers Mandatory Recess for Grade Schools

A bill passed by the Illinois Senate earlier this month will make recess mandatory in schools statewide if Gov. Pat Quinn and the House follow suit and sign off on the plan.

Senate Bill 636, introduced by state Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Chicago), calls for at least 20 minutes of recess daily for children in kindergarden through fifth grade--outside, if weather permits. The bill includes a provision that would allow school boards to extend the requirement for students in grades 6 through 8, and also forbids schools from withholding recess as a disciplinary action.

The state Senate approved the bill on May 10 in a 32-20 vote, advancing it to the House for consideration.

“We can’t lose sight of the fact that kids need to be kids,” Lightford said. Learning to make friends and use your imagination is every bit as important as learning multiplication and grammar.”

near the intersection of Main Street and St. Louis Avenue on Monday around 4:30 p.m. While charges are still pending, police had the woman provide several samples for toxicology tests, which is required per Illinois law, police said.  While officers said they don't think alcohol played a role in the death of Vo, it will still take up to six weeks to get the test results back, police said. 

 A machine exploded inside an Arlington Heights manufacturing company in the 3600 block of North Kennicott Avenue Tuesday morning. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the scene and will do so for the next couple of days. 

“We’re not skinheads,” said Brandon Spiller, of Wisconsin, who was hospitalized after a , Saturday. Spiller was meeting with a group of about 15 to 20 i people from all over the country who were interested in joining the European Heritage Group, which he said was holding its first meeting. He has "no idea why" anyone would want to hurt him or his newfound friends. "They terrorized us," he says.