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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 80

 
2    WHEREAS, Studies have shown that children provided with
3recess are more focused, on-task, and able to concentrate on
4educational material than those who are not afforded a recess
5period; cognitive function improves when a child has the
6opportunity for physical exercise and active play; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Obesity rates among children have skyrocketed in
8recent years, with one in three American children now being
9considered overweight or obese; recess provides children with
10the opportunity for physical exercise during the school day;
11and
 
12    WHEREAS, Recess is essential for providing students with a
13less structured period of time in which to engage in social
14interactions and develop interpersonal relationships with
15peers; it is often during this time that children improve their
16leadership and conflict resolution skills; and
 
17    WHEREAS, A large number of students go every school day
18with no opportunity for a recess period; therefore, be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
20ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
21CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created a Recess in Schools

 

 

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1Task Force within the State Board of Education; and be it
2further
 
3    RESOLVED, That the State Board of Education shall provide
4administrative and other support to the Task Force; and be it
5further
 
6    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be charged with
7examining the barriers facing schools in providing daily recess
8to every age-appropriate student and making recommendations
9for overcoming those obstacles; and be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be comprised of the
11following 15 members:
12        (1) two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom
13    shall be a medical professional with expertise in
14    children's health issues;
15        (2) one member appointed by the President of the
16    Senate;
17        (3) one member appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;
18        (4) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
19    Representatives;
20        (5) one member appointed by the House Minority Leader;
21        (6) one member appointed by the Chicago Board of
22    Education;
23        (7) one member appointed by the Governor upon

 

 

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1    recommendation of the education labor organization
2    representing Chicago public school teachers;
3        (8) one member appointed by the Governor upon
4    recommendation of a Statewide education labor
5    organization;
6        (9) one member appointed by the Governor upon
7    recommendation of another Statewide education labor
8    organization;
9        (10) one member appointed by the Governor upon
10    recommendation of an organization representing principals;
11        (11) one member appointed by the Governor upon
12    recommendation of a Chicago-based coalition of low-income
13    mothers and grandmothers focusing on family issues;
14        (12) one member appointed by the Governor upon
15    recommendation of a parent-teacher organization;
16        (13) one member appointed by the Governor upon
17    recommendation of an organization advocating for juvenile
18    justice reform;
19        (14) one member appointed by the Governor upon
20    recommendation of an organization that advocates for
21    healthy school environments; and be it further
 
22    RESOLVED, That the Task Force must meet within 60 days
23after the adoption of this resolution and submit a final report
24to the General Assembly by January 1, 2011 with its
25recommendations for bringing recess back to the maximum number

 

 

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1of students.