Cusd 308
Step 4 of 10
Form a Steering Committee (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

58

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Illinois is a
"Shall" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map Oswego, IL 60543 Kendall County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 5.5% (data source)
Non-White Students 52.0% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 19, 2026
Illinois State Law

Schools are required to allow students to be released for religious programs. This does not mean schools do not have the ability to create policies that protect the school's instruction time.
Read more about "May" and "Shall" state laws

Full Law Text Link to State Law

(105 ILCS 5/26-1) (from Ch. 122, par. 26-1) Sec. 26-1. Compulsory school age; exemptions. Whoever has custody or control of any child (i) between the ages of 7 and 17 years (unless the child has already graduated from high school) for school years before the 2014-2015 school year or (ii) between the ages of 6 (on or before September 1) and 17 years (unless the child has already graduated from high school) beginning with the 2014-2015 school year shall cause such child to attend some public school in the district wherein the child resides the entire time it is in session during the regular school term, except as provided in Section 10-19.1, and during a required summer school program established under Section 10-22.33B; provided, that the following children shall not be required to attend the public schools:

5. Any child absent from a public school on a particular day or days or at a particular time of day for the reason that he is unable to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirements on a particular day or days or at a particular time of day because of religious reasons, including the observance of a religious holiday or participation in religious instruction, or because the tenets of his religion forbid secular activity on a particular day or days or at a particular time of day. A school board may require the parent or guardian of a child who is to be excused from attending school because of religious reasons to give notice, not exceeding 5 days, of the child's absence to the school principal or other school personnel. Any child excused from attending school under this paragraph 5 shall not be required to submit a written excuse for such absence after returning to school. A district superintendent shall develop and distribute to schools appropriate procedures regarding a student's absence for religious reasons, how schools are notified of a student's impending absence for religious reasons, and the requirements of Section 26-2b of this Code;

What Can My School District Do?

All school districts, regardless of whether they are required by law to allow released time, should implement good policy and be prepared for when a released time program may approach the district. The time to set the policy is before an active program is pressuring the district. Research polices the district can implement to protect teachers' and students' instruction time. Set polices that limit disruptions to students and the ability for proselytization to occur, impacting other students of faith or no faith. A more detailed write-up on school board policies can be read here.

Share With Others Click to Copy Click to share
Schools in the District (21)
School Grades Period
Bednarcik Junior High School
Boulder Hill Elem School
Brokaw Early Learning Center
Churchill Elem School
East View Academy School
Fox Chase Elementary School
Grande Park Elem Sch
Homestead Elementary School
Hunt Club Elem
Lakewood Creek Elementary
Long Beach Elem School
Murphy Junior High School
Old Post Elementary School
Oswego East High School
Oswego High School
Prairie Point Elem School
Southbury Elem School
The Wheatlands Elementary School
Thompson Jr High School
Traughber Jr High School
Wolfs Crossing Elem School
11 schools not shown
Show/Hide All Schools
Local Personel Download All Lifewise Personel List
Title Name Email Active

Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
58
January 18, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
57
January 8, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
56
November 16, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
55
October 9, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
54
October 1, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
53
September 23, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
52
September 19, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
51
August 20, 2025
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
50
August 16, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
48
August 2, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
47
July 14, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
44
June 24, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
43
June 15, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
40
June 13, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
39
June 7, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
38
June 3, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
37
April 10, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
36
March 20, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
35
February 15, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
34
February 9, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
33
January 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
29
December 31, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
2
April 26, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
 
Associated Organizations
Org Type Org Name Address Website
Submit churches, businesses and non-profits that support Lifewise.

 



Respect Public Schools
Contact Info
keithc@respectpublicschools.com
Privacy Policy
Copyright 2026
Paid for by Keith Comer