Lawmakers Call For Tougher Truancy Penalties For Special Ed
**Schmucks
By Brian Brueggemann, Belleville News-Democrat/TNS
March 30, 2015
Students work in a third grade class in Deerfield, Ill. Lawmakers in the state are considering a bill that would double truancy penalties, but only for parents of children in special education. (Anthony Souffle/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
Illinois parents of truant students can be fined up to $500 and jailed up to 30 days, but a bill in the state legislature would increase the maximum penalties to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail for some parents — those whose children are in special education.
The maximum penalty would be unchanged for parents of students in regular classes.
Opponents of the bill say it makes no sense to single out the parents of students in special education. Supporters of the bill say attendance is especially important for students in special education. One parent says the bill is an attempt by schools to retaliate against frustrated parents who are pulling their children with special needs out of public schools.
The bill, House Bill 3402, is sponsored by state Rep. Silvana Tabares, a Chicago Democrat. She did not return calls seeking comment.
Under the bill, permitting truancy would become a class B misdemeanor in cases where the student is in special education. Under existing law, the charge is a less-serious class C misdemeanor for all parents.
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/03/30/lawmakers-truancy-penalties/20169/
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