Lawmakers in Illinois have reintroduced legislation that seeks to increase consequences for students who commit sexual assault in schools. The bill, sponsored by State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield), State Senator Jil Tracy (R-Quincy), and State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville), would require a minimum one-year expulsion for any student found to have committed or attempted sexual assault at school.
“We keep hearing shocking reports from across the state about incidents where students have been sexually assaulted at schools, and some schools appear to be sweeping these incidents under the rug,” said McClure. “Here’s what can’t be swept under the rug: the real pain caused by sexual violence and the real danger that a perpetrator of that kind of violence poses to victims, other students, and staff.”
Senate Bill 2991 specifies that expulsion for at least one year would apply not only to assaults on school grounds but also at school-sponsored activities or events, or any event reasonably related to school.
“Parents expect that when they send their kids to school, they’ll be protected, not placed back into situations that retraumatize victims and put other students at risk,” said Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer. “This bill makes student safety the priority and ensures administrators have a clear standard to follow when sexual violence occurs.”
Davidsmeyer has served as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 100th House District since being elected in 2012, replacing former state representative Jim Watson.
“Sexual assault has devastating emotional and psychological consequences for young people,” said Senator Tracy. “This legislation makes clear that violent behavior in our schools will have serious consequences. Our responsibility is to protect victims and preserve safe learning environments.”
The push for this legislation follows an incident in McClure’s district where a girl was sexually assaulted but her attacker was neither expelled nor suspended after admitting guilt. Ashley Peden, mother of the victim, shared her experience: “A year ago, I stood with Senator McClure to push for this change, but our bill never made it to the Senate floor for a vote. In the meantime, kids across the state have been left to rely on so-called ‘safety plans’ that don’t actually keep anyone safe,” she said. “Senate Bill 2991 recognizes the real danger sexual predators pose and makes it clear our schools must protect innocent children and stand with victims.”
Similar cases have occurred elsewhere in Illinois. Jessica Johnson described how her daughter was also sexually assaulted on school grounds without any expulsion or suspension imposed on the perpetrator: “This bill is important to me because in the case of my daughter being sexually assaulted on school grounds, and the student not being expelled nor suspended for it specifically. When the students walked out, there was a young lady that approached me and thanked us for speaking, because she had to continue to walk past her offender every day.”
Carrie Ward, CEO of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA), stated: “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 2991 focuses on applying existing school guidelines for expulsion to sexual assault cases in an effort to protect & support survivors and ensure the safety of all students.”
The proposed measure would bring disciplinary responses regarding sexual assaults into alignment with current policies requiring automatic one-year expulsions if a student brings a weapon into a school.
Senate Bill 2991 is now assigned to the Senate Criminal Law Committee; Representative Davidsmeyer has filed identical legislation as HB 5447 in the Illinois House.
A press conference about this legislation can be viewed online at https://youtu.be/DO3YPw5dHWc?si=fVwhMlXlTtdXWz-d
