CHICAGO – To help students understand what after school resources are available to them, state Rep. Melissa Conyears-Ervin, D-Chicago, passed a measure out of the General Assembly that would require schools to post a listing of free, after school activities that are offered by local organizations.
“As a mother, I want to be sure that students across Illinois are given the same opportunities to achieve whatever their goals may be,” said Conyears-Ervin. “To be successful later in life, we need to invest in students both inside and outside of the classroom, but too often students are not aware of what after school activities are available to them. My bill will help students and their parents know what children can be doing once the school day ends.”
Conyears-Ervin’s House Bill 3745 requires schools to post about free, after school activities that are offered by local organizations. According to Youth.gov, an initiative by the federal government to improve youth programs, students who spend their time in after school programs have better grades, better classroom behavior and even have better health due to them being more physically active. Additionally, when schools have more after school programs, there is a reduction in violence, drug use and other criminal behavior. Conyears-Ervin, a freshman legislator, has made improving schools a top priority. Her measure is one of several that she introduced this session, and she will continue to support policies that help students achieve their goals.
“The state has the responsibility to the youth of Illinois to invest in their future,” said Conyears-Ervin. “Whether it is by making sure that they are aware of the resources that are available to them or making sure that their schools are equitably funded, I am continuously fighting to ensure that they all have the same opportunities to accomplish whatever they want to.”
State Rep. Melissa Conyears-Ervin represents Illinois’ 10th district. Her office can be reached by phone at 773-417-1020, by email at Rep@ConyearsErvin.com, or on Facebook at Facebook.com/repconyearservin/.