This spring, Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie championed legislation in the Illinois House of Representatives aimed at empowering young students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—collectively known as STEM. McCombie’s initiative seeks to foster greater participation and opportunity in these critical fields.
Agriculture remains a top economic driver in Illinois, and McCombie’s bill seeks to promote educational growth to continue that success.
House Bill 2802, sponsored by Leader McCombie and signed into law last week, permits all students enrolled in STEM courses to take one excused absence per school year to participate in a STEM-related externship, pending school administration approval.
“Opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering, and math fields in Illinois are boundless,” said McCombie. “But we can and must do more to support and promote those opportunities.”
The legislation is designed to extend excused absences to account for STEM programs as well as 4-H and FFA.
“Creating this pathway to allow for additional out of classroom experiences for students will be impactful not only for their education but future career opportunities,” said McCombie.
For more information on House Minority Leader Tony McCombie’s bills, visit ilga.gov.
