THE ILLINOIS HOUSE NARROWLY APPROVED LEGISLATION REQUIRING 30 MINUTES OF RECESS PER DAY. 

THE MEASURE ONLY APPLIES TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIVE. IT'S BEEN WHITTLED DOWN FROM THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE BILL MANDATING AN HOUR OF RECESS. UNDER THIS NEW VERSION, THE BREAKS CAN BE SPLIT UP INTO 15 MINUTE INCREMENTS. IT'S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE AARON ORTIZ OF CHICAGO WHO SAYS THIS FREE TIME IS VITAL.

THE SO-CALLED "RIGHT TO PLAY" BILL IS A WATERED-DOWN VERSION OF THE ORIGINAL MEASURE. THIS ITERATION MANDATES 30 MINUTES OF RECESS, WHICH CAN BE BROKEN UP INTO TWO 15 MINUTE SEGMENTS OF PLAYTIME, AND ONLY FOR GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIFTH. BUT OPPONENTS, LIKE REPRESENTATIVE JEFF KEICHER OF SYCAMORE, QUESTION WHETHER SCHOOLS NEED TO DEAL WITH ANOTHER MANDATE COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE BILL NOW GOES BACK TO THE SENATE TO ACCEPT THE CHANGES.