By KEVIN BESSLER
Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) — Illinois lawmakers are proposing ways to deal with unruly school kids.
One measure, Senate Bill 1943, would expand the definitions of “isolated time out” and “physical restraint” and remove exceptions to the prohibition of the practice. Current Illinois law allows school staff to isolate a student if they pose a danger to themselves or others.
“What we want to see is more clarity in keeping classrooms and kids safe,” said state Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, the bill’s sponsor. “I have actual examples where the Illinois State Board of Education has cited school districts for trying to keep a kid out of a bus line.”
The measure also provides that staff members responsible for implementing isolated time out or physical restraint must be trained in nonviolent intervention methods.
Cheryl Jansen, public policy director with the group Equip for Equality, calls time out rooms a dangerous and inhumane restraint and seclusion practice.
“Students, most of them with disabilities, scratch the windows or tear at the padded wall, they throw their bodies against locked doors,” said Jansen.
Her group fears the legislation will limit investigations into complaints and remove options for parents to resolve disputes when students are harmed by the practices.
Another measure, Senate Bill 2423, would ban expulsion and minimize suspensions for preschoolers through 2nd grade. Numerous school districts have voiced opposition to the proposal.
Both measures passed out of the Senate Education Committee and are headed to the Senate floor.
