Macon Reporter

Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) lauds the progress of House Bill 4305, which seeks to lower the minimum age at which a child would be permitted to stay home alone without neglect charges being filed from the age of 14 to 12. 

Scherer posted to Facebook recently, announcing progress as the bill moves ahead. 

“HB 4305 continues to move forward! Another busy week in session!” Scherer wrote in her Facebook post.

The bill defines a neglected minor as "any minor under the age of 12 (rather than 14) years whose parent or other person responsible for the minor's welfare leaves the minor without supervision for an unreasonable period of time without regard for the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that minor. 

Among provisions HB 4305 provides that neglect does not include permitting a child, whose basic needs are met and who is of sufficient age and maturity to avoid harm or unreasonable risk of harm, to engage in independent activities, including traveling to and from school or nearby commercial and recreational activities, engaging in outdoor play or a similar independent activity and remaining in a vehicle or home unattended

A similar bill passed the House in 2019, but was never voted on by the Senate, KHQA reports.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services suggests that parents take steps to prepare children for staying at home alone, including teaching them how to deal with a variety of situations. Those situations include but are not limited to: What to do or say if someone calls or comes to the door; how to lock and unlock windows; what to do if approached by a stranger on the way home; what to do if they think someone is in the house when they get home; what to do if they smell smoke or gas, or in the event of a fire; what to do during severe storms; basic first aid techniques; kitchen safety (use of appliances, knives and tools) and appropriate and inappropriate reasons for calling parents or other adults for help.