The cost of summer school can mean the difference between a child graduating on time or not at all for some Illinois families.
Democrat Mary Flowers, a Representative from Chicago, says students have a constitutional right to a free education. Her measure would waive summer school fees and tuition for indigent children, or if a student must be enrolled in summer school for educational reasons.
"I don't think that we should be putting our burden of not being able to fully fund education on the backs of children and families and make them suffer in having to pay."
The measure was approved by a legislative committee, and goes to the House floor. Opponents say schools can’t afford the additional cost, especially when districts are already dealing with cuts.
