SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Legislation passed by the Illinois 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 Rep. Sue Scherer said 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’s fourteen years old. And, this removes that age limit, and leaves it to parental discretion,” Scherer said.
The bill now moves on to the Illinois Senate for passage.
