Illinois’ ‘Home Alone’ Law Lowered From 14 To 12

Illinois parents that need to get babysitters for their 13-year-old son or daughter are sure happy to hear about this news today.

That's because a bill was passed yesterday (04/03/19) in Springfield by a vote of 111-1 changing the age a kid can be left at home unsupervised from 14 to 12.

Currently, according to WGN, "parents can be charged with neglect for leaving children under 14 unsupervised 'for a reasonable period of time."

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Joe Sosnowski from Rockford, told the Chicago Tribune "The best thing we can do is eliminate that danger for parents, give some practical assurance to working families and allow them to make that decision whether or not their child is mature enough to be on their own."