Gov. Quinn to propose raising minimum age to drop out of school to 18

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Updated: February 29, 2012 8:03AM

Gov. Pat Quinn says he’ll propose raising the age at which students can drop out of school in Illinois to 18.

It’s 17 now. That makes Illinois one of 29 states that let students leave school before they turn 18.

Quinn’s office said he’ll propose raising the minimum age to drop out during his “State of the State” address next week.

The governor’s comments, In an appearance Friday in New York on the MSNBC cable TV show “Morning Joe,” came after President Barack Obama urged states in his “State of the Union” speech to “require that all students stay in high school until they graduate or turn eighteen.”

Quinn said the best way to make sure children are successful is to make sure they stay in school long enough to earn a diploma.