Springfield, IL— Legislation sponsored by State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D – Olympia Fields) aimed at re-enrolling high school dropouts was signed into law today by Governor Pat Quinn.

The Illinois Hope and Opportunity Pathways through Education (IHOPE) Program would give grants to Regional Offices of Education (ROEs) and the Chicago Board of Education to develop plans to re-enroll high school dropouts. The grants would include year-round programming, summer school, evening courses, and community college courses.

“Quality education is a priority for our state and I applaud the governor for recognizing its importance today,” Senator Hutchinson said. “We want Illinois teens who have dropped out of school to know that we haven’t given up on them. This is a second chance for these students.”

The Statewide Taskforce on Re-Enrolling Students who Dropped out of School recommended a statewide re-enrolling student program in addition to the current Truant Alternative and Optional Education Program, which it estimated could re-enroll more than 24,000 students by 2013.

“The Alternative School Network studies show that a student that graduates in Illinois saves taxpayers a total of $221,000 over their lifetime,” Senator Hutchinson said. “Multiply that times the thousands of students who will benefit from this program and everyone wins. The student wins by receiving a quality education and the taxpayers win by not having to support that student through life. This program benefits everyone in Illinois.”