State of Illinois House Passes Handwashing Bill

Rep. Mary Flowers wants to clean up Chicago schools—two germy, dirty hands at a time.

Fed up with what she sees as a health hazard for thousands of children, Flowers has introduced legislation that would require Chicago schools to make students wash their hands with antiseptic soap before eating.

The measure passed the Illinois House 100-14 Thursday without any debate. It now goes to the Senate."This is all about a way of life for our children," Flowers ( D-Chicago) said in a recent interview. "It's a public safety issue that needs to be addressed."But school officials and teachers say the measure seems to reflect misplaced priorities at the state capitol. They say teachers are already doing a good job of keeping kids' hands clean for breakfast and lunch.

And one Chicago parent said promoting cleanliness among students would be a good idea, but questioned whether it deserves the attention of state lawmakers."I think they should be focused on the issues," said Mona Van Kenegan, a dentist for a public health clinic at a Chicago high school who has a 7-year-old in a Chicago school.School absences because of sick kids are common, especially in the cold winter months.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates nearly 22 million school days are lost nationwide just to the common cold, with some viruses and bacteria able to live for two hours or longer on cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desks.Three schools in North Carolina closed for several days last week after an outbreak of flu-like symptoms decimated attendance.

The Illinois Public Health Department doesn't track similar closures here, however, and Flowers offers no specifics about the scope of the problem she's trying to address in Chicago schools.Illinois could be heading into new territory if it approves Flowers' bill. Several federal agencies and advocacy groups say they know of no other state that requires school hand washing by law.

Handwashing For Life, a Libertyville, Ill.-based advocacy group that focuses on restaurant kitchens, says similar proposals have popped up in states such as California and Ohio but nothing was implemented.