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* Tribune…
Among the losses state lawmakers dealt Gov. Bruce Rauner Wednesday was one over a signature issue: Whether the state should require schools to teach cursive writing.
Rauner vetoed a bill to enact such a requirement, and the Illinois House voted to override him on Wednesday. The Senate would have to follow suit when it returns next month for the proposal to become law.
In pushing for one mandatory cursive unit in elementary schools, Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch said children need to be able to read documents the Founding Fathers wrote, as well as notes from grandma. And there was a political angle to making sure kids could sign their names too.
“Can sign your driver’s license. Can sign your passport,” the Hillside Democrat said. “Can sign a petition to run for office.”
* More from the Illinois Policy Institute’s news service…
Rep. Grant Wehrli, R-Naperville, asked if there’s a law to mandate that schools teach keyboard or typing. Welch said lawmakers can consider that later.
Wehrli said schools are teaching cursive already without the mandate.
“Why does this have to be law?” Wehrli asked.
“It’s our job to pass good policy,” Welch said. “This is good, sound policy.”
The veto override passed 77-36. It now heads to the Senate, where a successful override will mean Illinois’ public elementary schools and high schools will be required to teach cursive writing.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 9:42 am
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Mr. Wehrli tweets a lot. Like “a lot - a lot”, especially about things like cursive or the Auditor General asking all kinds of questions of people. “Do they support… ” or things like that, calling out lots of people… Calling out lots of policy.
I’m not suprised.
What has Mr. Wehrli stated about HB40?
I’ve looked. I coulda missed it, I will Grant you that… but Mr. Wehrli is so demonstrative, even with cursive…
No opinion on HB40 or the Governor signing it?
That’s right. “Cursive”
You be you, Mr. Wehrli, you be you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 9:48 am
Is it too late to throw in a Beowulf rider?
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 9:55 am
Wherli is a joke. His sole accomplishment appears to be Twitter trolling, and poorly at that.
The legislation is absurd and another example of the ILGA’s failure to focus on real issues. Fix the finances and let the educators handle curriculum. BTW- we won’t have to implement since this mandate does not come with a revenue stream.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 9:56 am
So long as it’s legal to misspell we are ok……and stay away from grahmar crackers
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 10:07 am
“Wehrli said schools are teaching cursive already without the mandate.”
Chatham schools don’t teach cursive.
Comment by Nobodys Accountable Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 10:09 am
==- JS Mill - Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 9:56 am:==
Rib him in return and you’ll get a block.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 10:10 am
For me the “cursive handwriting” requirement is a mandate that I can support. It is unbelievable that students do not receive instruction in penmanship.
Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 10:10 am
Where are the abacus and sundial mandates?
Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 10:13 am
@Precinct Captain- I guess he follows the mold of people that live to insult on a regular basis but are incredibly thin skinned themselves. Sounds just like Trump. Both are a couple of wusses. (I hope I can use that term).
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 10:14 am
@Retired Educator- It really isn’t about whether or not cursive is a good thing (it is). The ILGA has no business entering into this discussion unless it is with their local schools.
Like you, I think it should be taught, but these busters need to leave it alone. Local districts should decide curriculum.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 10:17 am
It comes down to Mr. Wehrli is a phony cafeteria conservative.
Mr. Wehrli will support Bruce Rauner who has a more liberal social agenda that Pat Quinn.
“But… Auditor General”
Phonies are like that. His tweets tell me so.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 10:18 am
So it is written….
Comment by A guy Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 10:19 am
Normally I don’t jump on the bandwagon of the “legislators should be focusing on more important things”, but this particular override occurred the same day my kindergartener had his first active shooter drill at school.
I know it is easier to get bi-partisan support for teaching cursive than to pass effective legislation on gun control or mental health treatment, but I guess I can still be hopeful that my son can write a better cursive lower case z than I ever could and can read the 2nd Amendment from the original copy of the Bill of Rights. Oh, and not get shot in school because the GA can’t appropriately fund mental health screening and treatment, can’t forget about that, but there are priorities.
Comment by Swift Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 10:27 am
As a former teacher this is ridiculous. I think the legislators should have better things to work on, and get accomplished. I taught cursive for years, and within two years my former students were all printing. Signing a check in print is considered a legal document. My own children print their signatures, and have never had a problem. I think yes, it should be taught, but with so many problems in the education system this is the least of our worries.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 10:34 am
Local districts don’t have time to decide curriculum. They are focused in keeping kids in school because they need the tax dollars.
Yes, cursive should be taught. The world has too many lost languages and cursive is a viable one. I use it to write letters overseas. I was asked by a child if I was writing in Spanish when leaving a note for his teacher.
Comment by pro cursive Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 10:48 am
I oppose the bill, but the writing is on the wall.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 11:41 am
@pro cursive-maybe some day you can save Latin too.
You don’t know what your talking about otherwise.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 11:59 am
@-A Guy-that gave me quite a chuckle.
Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 12:40 pm
Seriously, it is a shame that cursive writing should not go by the wayside. I applaud the House for their override.
Comment by Illinoised Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 12:47 pm
Apologies. I meant to say it is a shame that cursive writing is going by the wayside. I applaud the House override.
Comment by Illinoised Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 12:53 pm
So sad. These unionized teachers will do anything to make their jobs easier.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 4:09 pm
I’m curious how many folks these days use cursive. I don’t most of the time, primarily because my kids and former staff couldn’t read it. My four kids sign checks, etc. in cursive but that’s about it.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 4:11 pm
I use it every single day.
Comment by Ron Thursday, Oct 26, 17 @ 4:27 pm
I print much of time for my own use, but would never ever print my signature.
Comment by cc Friday, Oct 27, 17 @ 3:44 am