Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., is a trailblazer, pioneer and icon who fights for voter rights and democracy, and a new bill seeks to honor his legacy in a unique way.
House Bill 4339 is known as the Jesse Jackson, Sr., Young Voter Empowerment Law, and if passed it would require Illinois high schools to provide students with opportunities to register to vote.
Participation on the part of students is voluntary, and the bill explicitly prevents partisan organizations from getting involved, making it a neutral and student-centered experience.
“We’re not telling students who to vote for or what to vote for. We’re just asking them to register to vote,” said State Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet, one of the lawmakers who introduced the bill.
State Senator Robert Peters is the bill’s co-sponsor.
“We want to make sure young people understand the process, how government works for them,” he said.
Dr. Jo Ann Roberts, the former CPS Chief Deputy Superintendent and advocate for young people, worked alongside Jackson for decades and is leading the charge to help make this bill a reality.
“I saw his pain but I also saw his hope and he wants every child in this nation to be able to register to vote to become civically engaged,” she said. “We are going to go to the school boards and ask them to develop a rigorous civics class so the students know who the aldermen are, who are state representatives are.”
Time is of the essence with this piece of legislation and lawmakers in Springfield, as Jackson’s health has rapidly declined over the last two months.
“He is stable but always in need of prayer,” said his son, Jesse Jackson, Jr. “We made it this far on the power of prayer.”
His son hopes the bill will pass, and it’s something Jackson, Sr., will be around to see.
“It is important to all of us” he said.
Hence then, the article about illinois lawmakers introduce bill to expand voter registration for high schoolers was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Illinois lawmakers introduce bill to expand voter registration for high schoolers )
Also on site :
- Inside Iran’s Preparation for War and Plans for Survival
- I tried Harry Styles’s favourite shoes as a mid-40s dad – my daughter was horrified
- Kid Rock Predicts God Will ‘Cut Down’ Journalists for Reporting (Accurately) That He Is Charging Up to $5,000 for Tour Tickets