By Bill Wheelhouse, IL Public Radio
Springfield, ILL. – Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich says he's considering requiring high school students to perform community service before they can gradute.
He says it would instill civic responsibility in the students and is something worth exploring.
"I want to make clear this is an idea we're bouncing around," Blagojevich said. "But it's something that's being done in Maryland. It's something the Chicago schools require and 53% of high school students across America perform some kind of community service. I think it's a good thing.
More immediately, the governor wants the Legislature to require community service for students who receive Merit Scholarships from the state. He says 50 hours of work should be required for those who receive the one-time college grants.