Dupage Policy Journal

Senator John Curran expressed his support for Senate Bill 2824, which provides youths in foster care the opportunity to attend their home school district. He stated he was "proud" to vote for the bill in a Facebook post on July 21.

"I was proud to vote for this legislation introduced by my colleague State Senator Steve McClure to help encourage stability for children in these traumatic situations," said F Curran, State Senator 41st District, according to Facebook.

According to the Illinois Legislative General Assembly’s website, the bill mandates that school districts waive tuition costs for non-resident pupils who were previously residents of the district if they provide proof that they left due to allegations against their parent or guardian and were removed from the home. The website also notes that when a student is placed in a different district, the Department of Children and Family Services can decide whether they should attend the new school district or return to their previous one.

Screenshot of Sen. John F. Curran's July 21 Facebook post. | Senator John Curran's Facebook page

The bill was initially filed by Senator Steve McClure on January 19, 2024, and co-sponsored by Senators Win Stoller, Julie A. Morrison, and Craig Wilcox. In the House, it was sponsored by Representatives C.D. Davidsmeyer, Barbara Hernandez, Kelly M. Cassidy, Dan Swanson, Anthony Deluca, Dagmara Avelar, Dan Caulkins, Matt Hanson, and Jeff Keicher. It was signed into law on July 1, 2024.

In his Facebook post, Curran shared a message from the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus discussing the bill: "Children in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services will face fewer disruptions when being removed from their homes under newly signed legislation. Senate Bill 2824, sponsored by State Senator Steve McClure, ensures that children, whenever possible, can continue attending their current school even after being placed with a different parent or relative. The aim is to provide a sense of stability and normalcy during an otherwise tumultuous time in these children's lives," wrote the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus in its July 17 Facebook post.

Curran has represented residents of Illinois' 41st District since 2017. He previously served three terms on the DuPage County Board and held the position of Vice Chairman of the Board. Additionally, he worked in the Cook County Attorney’s Office for 19 years during the 1990s.