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Libertyville students press lawmakers for later high school start times, cite research and a proposed Illinois bill
Summary
Students from Libertyville High School’s Youth Connect Council presented Feb. 24 urging state lawmakers to support House Bill 2951, which would require high schools to start no earlier than 8:45 a.m. presenters cited adolescent sleep research and examples from other states.
Members of Libertyville High School’s Youth Connect Council addressed the District 128 Board of Education on Feb. 24 to urge support for House Bill 2951, legislation they said would require high schools in Illinois to begin classes no earlier than 8:45 a.m.
Brenda Nelson, the district’s prevention and wellness program coordinator and sponsor of the Youth Connect Council (YCC), introduced student presenters from Libertyville High School and described YCC work on youth mental health and substance-prevention advocacy. Students described adolescent circadian rhythms and cited research they said supports later high-school start times. "Having a school start time of 08:45AM or later would allow students to get the rest they need and ultimately help students thrive in and out of school," a presenter said during the council’s remarks.
The students noted that states including California and Florida have enacted rules or statutes setting later minimum start times for high schools and referenced findings attributed to the American Academy of Pediatrics that later start times correlate with improved attendance, reduced tardiness and fewer motor-vehicle crashes among teens.
YCC members said five students will travel to Springfield in March to meet with the House Education Committee and other legislators to advocate for HB2951; they said state Representative Laura Favero Diaz (spelled in transcript as "Dias") authored the bill on their behalf. Board members thanked the students and asked for follow-up materials they could share with the Illinois Association of School Boards for possible advocacy consideration.
Board members and staff noted practical questions when asked by the board, including whether later start times would affect athletic schedules and dismissal times; student presenters said bills of this type typically include a multi-year phase-in window to allow districts to adjust schedules and extracurricular timing.
No board action on HB2951 was taken at the Feb. 24 meeting; the presentation was an informational item and a request for the district’s support and potential advocacy through school board associations.
