IL bill to expel students for sexual assaulting their peers is blocked from moving in the Senate

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill led by Senate Republicans that would require schools to expel students if they've sexually assaulted another student is blocked from moving in the Illinois Senate.

The proposal originally came from an sexual assault case that happened in a school in Taylorville.

Springfield teacher Ashley Peden lives in Stonington, where her 10-year-old daughter would take the bus to Taylorville Junior High school.

At the state capitol in January, Peden told the story of how her daughter was sexually assaulted multiple times by an older student on the school bus. When Peden learned of this, she went immediately to law enforcement and the principal.

She expected the abuser to be expelled, but instead the principal made a safety plan, separating the two kids without any mention of sexual assault to teachers or staff.

After multiple meetings and backlash, the student was sent to an alternative school. However, a year later, Peden received a call that the abuser would return to her daughters school.

"This is not acceptable," Peden said. "This is not ensuring safety for all students and until stricter laws are in place, this is going to continue to happen. It is time now to make a change. Please don't wait for something to happen to somebody you know."

This is when Peden went to local lawmakers for help. State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) said he heard of the incident from his staff.

"And I met with Ashley and I met with our education staffer and we determined that there seems to be a hole in our laws when it comes to protecting victims of sexual violence in schools," McClure said.

After this, McClure filed a bill to the Illinois Senate. It would expel students from the school for at least a year if they sexually assault someone on school grounds.

The plan received bipartisan support, but the proposal was never sent to a committee by Democratic leadership.

Now the bill is considered dead, since no bills can be heard in committees unless they receive approval from the Senate President.

"I know Ashley and Chad are frustrated by the process but I can sure you and them that I've done everything I possibly can to get this bill moving," McClure said. "I'm not giving up on this bill. If this bill doesn't pass this year I'm going to file it next year."

McClure also said there is still a chance this plan could be passed later this year. For now, the bill stays in assignments, where it will most likely stay and die until session restarts next year.