A BILL AWAITING THE GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE AIMS TO BETTER PROTECT STUDENTS FROM SEXUAL ABUSE AT SCHOOL.

THE MEASURE COMES IN RESPONSE TO A CHICAGO TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION LATE LAST YEAR INTO SEXUAL ABUSE AND HARASSMENT IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SENATOR IRIS MARTINEZ SAYS IT OVERHAULS HOW THESE CASES ARE HANDLED.

SENATOR JENNIFER BERTINO-TARRANT OF PLAINFIELD IS A CO-SPONSOR.

ADDITIONALLY, THE BILL REQUIRES SCHOOLS TO CHECK EMPLOYEES AGAINST THE STATE SEX OFFENDER DATABASE MORE FREQUENTLY AND ADDRESSES TEACHERS WHO DON'T REPORT SUSPECTED CASES OF ABUSE.