Rod Blagojevich

GOVERNOR

August 14, 2003

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois Senate

93^rd General Assembly

Currently, school districts can seek reimbursement from the state for driver’s education courses and the law requires six hours of behind the wheel practice.  The school district may adopt a policy to permit a proficiency exam after three hours.  Senate Bill 70 removes the discretion granted to the school district to craft its own policy.  In addition, it will result in an increased financial burden on the school district and the state.  During the current fiscal crisis, we should defer to the school district in crafting its driver’s education policy and inquire into the necessity of changing these individual policies before passing such a mandate.  Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(b) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby veto Senate Bill 70, entitled “AN ACT relating to education.”

For this reason, I hereby veto and return Senate Bill 70.

Sincerely,

Rod R. Blagojevich

Governor