Illinois Senate Republicans have advanced legislation aimed at strengthening protections for students who are victims of sexual assault in schools.
Senate Bill 939 establishes a minimum one-year expulsion for students who commit or attempt sexual assault at school or during school-sponsored activities.
The proposal was introduced in response to incidents across the state where students who committed sexual assault were not removed from the school environment, raising concerns about safety and accountability, and generating accusations that the schools were trying to sweep the incidents under the rug.
Supporters of the legislation say the bill creates clear consequences for serious misconduct and ensures schools take appropriate action when these incidents occur.
School boards would have the ability to review the punishment, but would be required to vote on how to handle the situation, making it much more difficult to hide instances of sexual assault.
The goal is to protect victims, support families, and ensure that all students can learn in a safe and secure environment.
The bill passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support and now moves to the House for further consideration.
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