HB 2951 was introduced by Illinois state representative Laura Faver Dias on Feb. 5, 2025. If passed, the bill will prevent public high schools in Illinois from starting their day before 8:45 a.m.

In the fall of 2018, Libertyville High school adjusted their daily start time to 8:45 a.m. They currently have eight 45 minute periods and end school at 3:25 p.m. They also have science early bird classes which begin at 8:23 a.m.

“I enjoy starting at 8:45 because I have a lot of time to get ready in the mornings. I can also leave some of my homework or studying for the next day so that I can sleep earlier at night. I still do feel pretty tired in my early class periods, but I wake up pretty fast,” Chloe Palmes, a junior at Libertyville High School, said. “I think other schools should start at 8:45. It helps students learn how to schedule their time and be efficient in the mornings, while still having the independence to choose what to do without being rushed. If you get to school early, you have a lot of time to meet with teachers for extra help, work out at the weight room and chat with friends.”

Prevention and Wellness Coordinator Brenda Nelson has been working at Libertyville High School for ten years. She believes the school’s 8:45 start time has impacted students positively.

“There was a very palpable relief when we went to the later time…There’s stress when you’re sleep deprived, and I think that there is total exhaustion that just kind of dropped away. It’s been a very meaningful change for the better well-being of students…The evidence suggests that if we can get adolescents’ sleeping in line with their circadian rhythm,  so much goes better,” Nelson said.

According to Nelson, Faver Dias introduced the bill due to advocacy from an LHS student group called Youth Connect Council.  According to member Maya Anderson, the group works to make changes within the community by presenting to the school board and town council.

“We advocated for a later start time because we know that our school start time is not in law, and another school board could come along and change it. We have data and research that backs the later start time for optimal performance in academics and athletics. Additionally, we want to help schools around the state help make the change to this start time for their future and schooling,” Anderson said.

The group presented to the Illinois House of Representatives Education Committee on March 4, 2025.

“Presenting at a subject matter hearing at the capital in front of the Education Committee was unlike any other experience I have ever had. We also had the ability to speak with and discuss our bill with the Speaker of the House of Illinois, Emanuel Chris Welch, and lobby for our bill inside the capitol. It was very helpful to learn more about people’s various apprehensions toward our bill to understand why and where the majority of the opposition from our bill stood,” member Addison Krupinski said. 

If passed, Illinois will be the third state to have a mandated start time, joining Florida and California, which both begin at 8:30 a.m.

“I do want it to be passed because I feel since [the] majority of our week is school, we should have the opportunity to go home and rest…We have a lot of homework to do, and we have a lot of tests to catch up with [and] tests to study for. If we start later, have more of an opportunity to do work and then also get enough sleep,” Niles West senior Nataly Silva said.

West senior Mehul Vignesh disagrees with the proposed change.

“I feel like this is a hassle that we don’t really need to undertake…Why are we losing these [35] minutes, and what are we gaining out of it? I have no idea. If you really wanted to, you could shift the school day, which I think would be a lot better. Instead of these frivolities, we could really spend our time on different, more effective laws,” Vignesh said.

Representative Faver Dias declined an interview with Niles West News. According to Chief of Staff Katie Holmes, the bill was not heard in committee and will not be moving this session. Holmes believes there will be more conversations about the bill in the future.