Truants, dropouts may lose licenses

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A new state law designed to encourage students to remain in school will revoke driving privileges for teenagers who cut classes or drop out from school altogether.

"It's another motivator. And as long as students learn about this ahead of time so it becomes another factor in their decision, [it[']s] an incentive we can provide for a student if they are on the fence," said Jesse Ruiz, chairman of the State Board of Education.

Under the measure, students who have more than 18 unexcused absences, are expelled or drop out, can have their licenses revoked until they turn 18. The licenses and learner's permits can be reinstated if the students return to school.

More than 24,000 students dropped out of school in Illinois last year. The figure is down from five years ago when there were 36,000 dropouts, but officials hope the new law can help bring those numbers down even further.