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91_SR0258
LRB9111249KBkb
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, School children are one of the largest groups
3 subject to carrying large loads on a daily basis, without
4 supervision or workplace standards; and
5 WHEREAS, Students who carry a large amount of weight on
6 their backs for long periods of time, both properly and
7 improperly, can permanently damage their backs, which can
8 lead to back pain as adults; and
9 WHEREAS, According to the American Chiropractic
10 Association, low-back pain is the most common health problem
11 experienced by working Americans today and a condition which
12 costs the nation's economy at least $50 billion a year in
13 lost wages and productivity; and
14 WHEREAS, According to the American Chiropractic
15 Association, much low-back pain suffering is brought on by
16 bad habits initiated during our younger years, such as
17 carrying overweight backpacks; and
18 WHEREAS, Many industries have taken measures to lessen
19 the frequency and severity of spinal cord and internal
20 injuries resulting from carrying excess loads; and
21 WHEREAS, In a recent study conducted by the American
22 Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 58 percent of orthopedists
23 reported seeing patients complaining of back and shoulder
24 pain caused by heavy backpacks and 70 percent of orthopedists
25 indicated that heavy backpacks can become a clinical problem
26 in school-age children; and
27 WHEREAS, Medical professionals and organizations,
28 including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American
29 Chiropractic Association, have recognized chronic back pain
30 associated with the weight and size of backpacks and have
31 made recommendations regarding the use of backpacks;
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1 therefore, be it
2 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIRST GENERAL
3 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Illinois
4 State Board of Education to disseminate information to school
5 districts that can be shared with parents regarding the
6 proper use and safe design of backpacks in order to lessen
7 the chances of children suffering from physical injuries as a
8 result of carrying excessive loads on their backs; and be it
9 further
10 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11 delivered to the State Superintendent of Education and the
12 Chairperson of the State Board of Education.