Teachers in Illinois will have one more thing to add to their lesson plans in future years, as the Illinois Senate has overridden Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto of a bill mandating that students learn how to write in cursive.
The measure, which Rauner vetoed in September, passed overwhelmingly in the Senate on Wednesday by a 42-12 margin. The Illinois House had already overridden Rauner’s veto in October, meaning that the measure will now come into force.
“Cursive writing is a skill children will need throughout their lives,” Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly Lightfoot said in a statement. “You cannot write a check, sign legal documents, or even read our Constitution without an understanding of cursive writing.”
According to a press release issued by Lightfoot’s office, school districts will get to determine when to teach kids cursive, so long as the lessons are taught by the time the students finish fifth grade.
The new bill will impact students beginning in the 2018-19 school year.
