SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – State records show schools in Illinois will start the academic year having to comply with at least two dozen new statutes, or mandates from lawmakers.

The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers says that reports collected by the Illinois State Board of Education show the 24 additional requirements are down slightly from the average 27 new rules imposed each year since 2007.

This year the new rules include training students how to use automatic external defibrillators and practicing how to evacuate schools in emergencies.

However the mandates can cost the districts money and be a time squeeze.

Ben Schwarm is deputy executive director of the Illinois Association of School Boards. He says lawmakers’ intent behind the mandate is fine. But he says they should provide funding too.