A sexual assault involving students in a central Illinois community has sparked legislative action. State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) is pushing for stronger school policies after discovering that the student responsible for the assault was allowed to remain in class.
McClure and State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) are calling for clear guidelines requiring schools to take firm action in cases of student-on-student sexual violence. McClure pointed out the inconsistency in school discipline policies, noting, “If a student brings a pair of brass knuckles to class, they are automatically expelled for a year. But if you sexually assault a student at school, there is no automatic expulsion for a year.”
The proposed legislation would mandate a minimum one-year expulsion for any student who commits sexual assault or sexual violence. McClure said he has received an outpouring of support from both community members and fellow lawmakers who are concerned that some schools are failing to report such incidents to parents and, in some cases, are attempting to cover them up.
Davidsmeyer, who has heard of similar incidents occurring across Illinois, stressed the need for clear protocols. “As a father of a freshman and a 7th grader, I want to make sure this does not happen to anyone else and that there is proper guidance on what happens should this happen again,” he said.
Illinois Democrats have historically opposed legislation categorized as “penalty enhancement,” which increases punishment for specific crimes. However, McClure argues that his bill is not about penalties but about ensuring student safety. He hopes that students facing expulsion under this policy would be placed in alternative learning centers where they can receive necessary intervention and treatment.
McClure emphasized that recent state laws have left many teachers hesitant to discipline students, even for serious offenses. “This is a step in the right direction,” he said, underscoring the importance of giving schools the authority to take decisive action in cases of sexual violence.
As lawmakers debate the bill, the broader issue of school safety and accountability remains at the forefront of discussions in Illinois.
