Illinois students could have the opportunity to participate in regular relaxation activities, including meditation, for 20 minutes a week if a bill advancing in the Illinois General Assembly becomes law.
A House committee took up Senate Bill 2872 on Wednesday. State Rep. Laura Faber Diaz (D-Grayslake) introduced the bill.
“It is acceptable to provide 20 minutes of relaxation per week to support students’ mental health in the form of mindfulness-based movement, yoga, stretching, meditative breathing, walking, stress-relief activities, etc. I would like to reiterate that this is the case.” Faber-Diaz said.
John Barkey of the Large Unit District Association said the bill is neutral because it is a suggestion rather than a mandate, but class time is limited.
“Because we have so much to do during the current school day that if we have to do something, we have to do something more,” Barkey said.
State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) opposed the Faber-Diaz bill, particularly on whether parents could deny their students things like practicing yoga.
“Again, I think yoga needs to be secular,” Faber-Diaz said.
“Some people don’t believe that nondenominational yoga exists,” Wilhour replied.
Some argued that schools should focus on increasing proficiency rates.
State Rep. Katie Stewart (D-Edwardsville) said such criticism is misplaced.
“I think this is really insulting and really undermines our respect for the profession of the people who work in our buildings every day,” Stewart said. “This conversation has gotten weird.”
The bill will pass out of committee and could go to the House for final passage before proceeding to the governor’s desk.
