New Illinois bill seeks to expel students who commit sexual assault in schools
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois lawmakers are pushing for stricter consequences for students who commit sexual assault in schools, introducing legislation that would require a one-year expulsion for offenders.
The proposal comes in response to a case in the Taylorville school district, where a victim's mother had to repeatedly seek legal protection to keep her child safe.
What we know:
State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) have introduced legislation to ensure students who commit sexual assault or sexual violence in schools face mandatory expulsion for at least one year.
The bill, Senate Bill 98, would apply to incidents occurring on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, or at activities related to school functions.
"This is about making sure that victims aren’t having to face their attackers in school every day, as well as protecting other students from someone who has already committed assault," McClure said.
Davidsmeyer, who plans to introduce identical legislation in the Illinois House, highlighted the need for stronger protections in schools.
"As a parent, we trust that our kids are safe at school and school functions. This bill takes an important step to ensure that school administrators are doing everything they can to protect school children in their parents’ absence," Davidsmeyer said.
The backstory:
The legislation stems from an incident in McClure’s district, where a young girl was sexually assaulted, yet the perpetrator was only transferred to an alternative school.
The victim’s mother, Ashley Peden, fought in court to secure protective orders for her daughter. She argued that expulsion should be the standard response to sexual assault, just as it is for students caught bringing weapons to school.
"We have laws where a student gets expelled for bringing a weapon on school grounds," Peden said. "For my daughter, this young man’s body was his weapon, and he continually brought his weapon to school, on the bus, and to the bus stop. This is not acceptable."
What they're saying:
The bill has drawn support from advocacy groups, including the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA).
"ICASA supports Senator McClure’s efforts to ensure schools recognize and respond to sexual assault, support survivors, and hold those accountable who commit such assaults. Senate Bill 98 focuses on applying existing school guidelines for expulsion to sexual assault cases in an effort to protect and support survivors and ensure the safety of all students," said Carrie Ward, CEO of ICASA.
What's next:
The bill will now move through the legislative process, where lawmakers will debate its provisions and potential impact.
The Source: The information in this article was provided by Mike Brooks, the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Illinois Senate Republican Staff.