Students who skip school may want to keep a tight tab on their days absent this year.  Governor Quinn signed a new law reducing the number of days missed before a student is considered truant.  Matt Vanover, with the Illinois State Board of Education, says tighter restrictions could mean a spike in chronic truancy.

[audio:rddTruant1.mp3]A Word From Vanover[/audio]

The new law scales back the number of missed days allowed from 18 to nine.  If a student is truant, a letter is sent to the parent or guardian.  And if that parent doesn't comply - it's the parent, not the child, who could be punished.  Current law says they could spend up to 30 days in jail and be fined 500 dollars.  No action can be taken against a child unless support services and other resources have been provided.