Illinois Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Expel Students for Sexual Assault, Ban Fossil Fuel Investments

Illinois lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 98, which mandates that students who commit sexual assault or sexual violence at school or related events face automatic expulsion for at least one year. The legislation was prompted by a disturbing incident involving a 10-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted by a 14-year-old student, highlighting the inadequacies of current school policies that do not mandate expulsion for such offenses while enforcing strict penalties for weapon possession. Supporters, including Sen. Steve McClure and Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, argue that this change is necessary to ensure student safety and accountability within schools. Ashley Peden, the mother of the victim, emphasized the need for stronger protections, criticizing previous school responses as insufficient and enabling further victimization. Advocates, including the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, are calling for accountability and resources to support victims. The bill aims to align the treatment of sexual assault in schools with existing laws governing weapon-related incidents.