Republican lawmakers in Illinois have introduced a proposal aimed at expelling students who sexually assault others on school grounds. Currently, Illinois law lacks specific provisions mandating the expulsion of students for sexual violence or assault, whereas it does require expulsion for students bringing weapons like firearms or knives to school.
Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) stated that the goal of Senate Bill 98 is to compel schools to confront and address incidents of sexual assault occurring within school settings or related events. This initiative was spurred by a troubling incident involving a 10-year-old girl in Taylorville.
At a Capitol news conference, the girl’s mother, Ashley Peden, who is also a teacher in Springfield, expressed her support for the bill. Peden described the traumatic experience her daughter faced, emphasizing the inadequate safety measures taken by the Taylorville school district.
Between late January and early February 2024, her daughter was sexually assaulted by a 14-year-old student on their school bus and at the bus stop, with the assaults escalating over time. Following the incidents, Peden secured an emergency order of protection for her daughter, which was meant to keep the accused student away from her. However, Peden criticized the school’s handling of the situation, noting that the safety plan created by the principal was not adequately communicated to all relevant staff.
Peden highlighted the need for greater transparency and safety measures, stating, “We have laws where a student gets expelled for bringing a weapon on school grounds, but what about cases like this, when the student’s body is the weapon?”
Senator McClure emphasized that the bill seeks to eliminate the silence surrounding sexual assault issues in schools. “What’s happening right now is silence in these schools,” he said, pointing out that parents often remain uninformed about such incidents.
Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) has filed an identical bill in the House, reinforcing the necessity of addressing this critical issue in schools throughout the state. He stated, “It’s not punishment for the individual who committed the crime; it’s to protect all of our kids and to ensure that the people who committed the crimes get the help that they need.”
Comments