Hoffman Estates, Ill. (AP) -- Gov. Pat
Quinn has signed into law a new requirement that all public schools have sexual
assault and abuse and awareness programs starting next school year.
The governor signed the legislation Thursday at a children's advocacy
center in the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates. The measure known as Erin's
Law builds on the requirement for middle and high schools to provide sexual
assault and abuse education.
The law took three years of campaigning by 27-year-old sexual abuse
victim Erin Merryn, who grew up in Schaumburg.
She attended the bill signing with the governor and says the law will give Illinois children a
voice.
Merryn has taken her campaign to other states and Quinn invited her to a
February national meeting of governors to talk about the issue.
