Legislation passed by the house this week leaves it up to parents to decide when a child is old enough to stay home alone. Many parents may not even know state law sets a specific age at which a kid can be left on their own. Decatur Representative Sue Scherer says it’s confusing and doesn’t take into account a myriad of circumstances like whether it’s daytime or nighttime, or if it’s because mom or dad absolutely has to go to work.
“Right now, today, it is 14 years old, and this removes that age and leaves it to parental discretion.”
It’s up to the Senate to pass this bill next.
***Report Courtesy of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services***
