Educators charged with sex crimes, violent felonies or certain drug offenses

SPRINGFIELD – Assistant Majority Leader Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) issued the following statement today after the Illinois State Board of Education announced information documenting the success of her law to help protect CPS students from sexual predators and criminals:

“When the media publicized the number of sexual violence reports in Chicago Public Schools last year, we knew something had to be done. It’s humbling to know my law is already making a difference only two months after being signed. Misconduct from school employees will not be tolerated. No child should feel afraid or threatened while in their classroom.”

The law, PA 101-0531, addressed a multitude of problems: how a student is interviewed after making a complaint about a staff member, how frequently school districts check statewide criminal databases and how to reduce the traumatization of student victims. It also creates a taskforce to continue to review these policy changes.