Rockford Sun

Illinois state Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) shared information on state-wide literacy plans in a recent Facebook post.

"When Senate Bill 2243 came before the Senate Education Committee, I was shocked to find out that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) did not have a state-wide literacy plan put in place already!" he said in the post. "Today, in a bipartisan effort, we were able to change that and continue to strengthen our education system here in Illinois."

Syverson is concerned and involved with Illinois education along with his colleague, Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D- Hillside).

Lightford proposed Senate Bill 2243, the Illinois General Assembly website said. It would direct the ISBE to "develop and adopt a comprehensive literacy plan for the State from on or before October 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024."

The bill passed the Senate on March 24 and moved to the House of Representatives. Since then, it has been referred to the Rules Committee.

A news release from Illinois Senate Democrats discussed the significant number of students that failed to meet their standard grade level and the effect that could have on their future.

"Currently, 50% of third-grade students in Illinois do not meet or partially meet learning standards for English language arts," the release said. "Research from the Annie E. Casey Institute found that students who are not proficient readers in third grade are four times more likely not to finish high school. If those students are from low-income families, they are more than six times more likely not to finish high school."

A lifelong resident of Illinois, Syverson was first elected to the state Senate in 1993, his website biography said. In the Senate, he is spokesperson for the Insurance Committee, the Health and Human Services Committee, and the Appropriations (Health and Human Services) Committee. He is also a member of the Behavioral and Mental Health, Public Health, Licensed Activities, and Local Government committees. Additionally, he is co-chair of the bipartisan Hospital Transformation Committee and the Medicaid Reform Committee.