New Simmons law looks to end racially-based emergency calls

SPRINGFIELD – Individuals who make calls to police for the sole purpose of harassing people based on their identity will now face potential hate crime charges under a new law sponsored by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago).

“Calling the police as an intimidation tactic against someone because you don’t like or are uncomfortable with their identity should never be an option,” Simmons said. “This practice, which is almost always rooted in racism, is a serious threat to public safety and to the welfare of Black lives, and we need to do all that we can to deter it.”

Read more: New Simmons law looks to end racially-based emergency calls

Cullerton measure providing mental health resources to students signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is proud to see a measure that would offer mental health support information on student ID cards being signed into law.

“Providing mental health support to students—whether they’re in middle school or college—is so important, especially as they start to return to in-person learning,” Cullerton said. “Something as simple as a contact number for a crisis line could help prevent unnecessary tragedy in an age group that has seen increasing suicide rates over the years.”

Read more: Cullerton measure providing mental health resources to students signed into law

New Villivalam law creates inclusive health and safety education curriculum

CHICAGO – To create a comprehensive, inclusive health and safety curriculum for Illinois public schools, State Senator Ram Villivalam’s (D-Chicago) Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act was signed into law today.

“No student should feel stigmatized or excluded in the classroom,” Villivalam said. “This legislation establishes guidelines for an inclusive, culturally competent curriculum to keep students safe and healthy.”

The Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act establishes the requirements for public and charter schools that elect to teach comprehensive personal health and safety education in grades K-5, and comprehensive sexual health education in grades 6-12. A parent or guardian can opt their student out of instruction. Schools will retain local control through the selection of curriculum and instructional materials.

Read more: New Villivalam law creates inclusive health and safety education curriculum

New law requires students to learn the consequences of sexting

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) was signed by the governor on Friday, creating a requirement that public schools that offer sex education curricula include a lesson about the risks of sexting.

“Technology has grown a lot in the last decade, and our education needs to adapt as well,” Stadelman said. “This new law requires those schools that teach sex education to include a lesson on sexting, so students can learn about the real-life consequences of the virtual act.”

The legislation would require schools that offer a sex education course or unit to revise their current curricula to include an age-appropriate lesson on sexting and its potential consequences.

“Students should know about the realities of what may seem like a harmless act,” Stadelman said. “We can’t expect kids to know the importance and dangers of sharing sexually explicit images.”

The legislation was introduced by State Representative Maurice West (D-Rockford), Stadelman’s counterpart in the Illinois House of Representatives.

The new law, originally House Bill 24, takes effect immediately.