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State Rep. Amy Elik, R-Alton, says school staff who sexually
abuse 18-year-old students should face charges so she has filed
House Bill 4241 in Springfield.
“This bill protects students ages 18 and older in high school by
creating the offense of abuse of authority by an educator or
authority figure,” said Elik.
The legislation would make abuse by a teacher involving sexual
conduct a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class
4 felony for a subsequent offense.
Sponsors say criminal charges must be levied so that offenders
cannot leave a job and move on to other opportunities where they
could prey on children.
State Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, said kids can’t afford
to wait any longer for this issue to be addressed.
“There are unscrupulous teachers, I would even call them evil,
who at ages 15, 16, and 17-years-old are grooming those young
people so that when they turn 18, all of sudden they can have a
relationship with them because now they turned 18 and there is
no criminal charge,” Bryant said.
The bill unanimously passed the House last month. Elik called on
the Illinois Senate to pass the bill before the end of spring
session next week.
"This bipartisan bill has no vocal opposition and must move
forward this session so students have the necessary protections
they deserve,” Elik said.
The measure remains in a Senate committee. Legislators return to
finish the final week of scheduled session Monday.
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