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Post by WeNeed3 on Mar 1, 2009 9:38:36 GMT -5
Courtesy of slp on blue:
Dear Friend,
As most of you are aware, I have introduced legislation to address a serious incident involving the safety of school children at Indian Prairie School District 204. The aftermath of an alleged sexual assault incident among three Gregory middle school students resulted in the need for this important legislation. House Bill 1310 will amend the Safe Schools Law and allows school districts the option of transferring a student charged with a felony to an alternative school. Current law in Illinois limits school officials’ options in dealing with incidents that happen off school grounds. This is a very serious loophole in the law that needs to be addressed to protect the safety of our children and all school children across the state.
House Bill 1310 is scheduled to be heard in the Juvenile Justice Reform Committee this Wednesday, March 4 in Springfield. The committee begins at 4 p.m. and will take place in Capitol Building Room 122B.
Due to the seriousness of this heart-breaking situation, I am urging you to come to Springfield to support this bill. The members of the Juvenile Justice Committee need to see the outpouring of support from the community for this legislation. I have invited witnesses to testify on behalf of this bill, but I am urging anyone who can to come to Springfield, attend this Committee, and help me change the law to protect the safety of our school children.
Please keep in mind that the committee time and location could change once we arrive in Springfield so we will need to be flexible to the committee schedule. I will have staff in Springfield to keep you updated and ensure that you have all of the information you need to attend this committee hearing.
If you are interested in joining me in Springfield to support House Bill 1310, please call my legislative aide Pat Fee at (630) 219-3090 or email her at patdistrict96@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Darlene Senger
State Representative – 96th District
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Post by cocrt21 on Mar 1, 2009 9:40:24 GMT -5
Look like there may be enough for a busload.. please join us
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Post by WeNeed3 on Mar 1, 2009 9:47:31 GMT -5
I do hope a lot of people come. This would be awesome if this got passed.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Mar 3, 2009 12:37:04 GMT -5
Found this on a blog.... There is email circulating in our community and will be one way to help ensure that state policy changes to protect victim's from this type of blatent disregard. This is paraphrased: "State Representative Darlene Senger will be going to Springfield on 3/4 speak at a hearing to petition for an amendment of Safe Schools Law of the School Code. The policy change is recommended as follows: “Synopsis As Introduced Amends the Safe Schools Law of the School Code. Provides that a "disruptive student" includes suspension or expulsion eligible students and students against whom juvenile or criminal proceedings alleging the commission of a felony are pending (instead of just suspension or expulsion eligible students). Provides that a student against whom juvenile or criminal proceedings alleging the commission of a felony are pending may be immediately transferred to an alternative program. Effective immediately.” www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1310&GAID=10&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=43036&SessionID=76&GA=96&SpecSess=0Prior to the meeting (March 4, 2009 - 4:00pm), please contact the members of the Juvenile Justice Reform Committee in Springfield via phone call or fax to support the passing of this bill. Your message can be as brief as: "My name is ________and I am a concerned parent residing in District #____ in __________, IL. I strongly support #BH1310, which State Representative Darlene Senger will be presenting to your Committee on March 4th, and ask for your support and timely approval." The Committee members' information are as follows: Annazette Collins, Chairperson Phone: 217-782-8077 Fax: 217-557-7643 Kenneth Dunkin, Vice-Chair Phone: 217-782-4535 Fax: 217-782-4213
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Post by wvhsparent on Mar 3, 2009 14:51:43 GMT -5
Sounds like a good start..They now just have to make sure they ACLU proof it.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Mar 4, 2009 7:08:18 GMT -5
Naperville dad takes student safety case to CapitolBy Nicole Milstead | Daily Herald SPRINGFIELD - The father of a Naperville middle school student allegedly sexually assaulted by classmates will testify Wednesday at the Capitol in support of a proposed law intended to clarify when students can be removed from schools. The legislation proposed by state Rep. Darlene Senger, a Naperville Republican, would allow schools to immediately transfer students to alternative programs if juvenile or criminal proceedings alleging the commission of a felony are pending. The proposal is in response to a Naperville case in which police say an attack involving Gregory Middle School students occurred Nov. 11 in a home on Naperville's south side. Parents of the victim wanted the alleged assailants removed from the school. A12-year-old and 11-year-old face felony charges of criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault. The 11-year-old also faces a misdemeanor count of battery for a separate incident involving the same alleged victim, this time in the halls of Gregory. DuPage County Regional Superintendent Dr. Darlene Ruscitti is also scheduled to testify. The central issue is what school officials can do with students alleged to have committed crimes off school grounds. The school district's attorney, Jack Canna, has warned board members they have little, if any, authority to discipline students for off-campus actions. School board member Curt Bradshaw will also testify before the committee. He's previously said if it were his decision alone, the accused students would be moved for the sake of the classmate. Recently, the alleged 12-year-old assailant transferred out of District 204 to Lincoln Junior High School in neighboring Naperville Unit District 203. A court order is keeping the other student at Gregory Middle School but 100 feet away from that classmate. www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=276412&src=10
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Post by WeNeed3 on Mar 4, 2009 7:11:08 GMT -5
I bet school districts all across the state have their fingers crossed today.
I am very impressed with CB's attendance in Springfield. Thank goodness this man is lobbying for this child.
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Post by drdavelasik on Mar 4, 2009 10:28:55 GMT -5
Naperville dad takes student safety case to CapitolBy Nicole Milstead | Daily Herald SPRINGFIELD - The father of a Naperville middle school student allegedly sexually assaulted by classmates will testify Wednesday at the Capitol in support of a proposed law intended to clarify when students can be removed from schools. The legislation proposed by state Rep. Darlene Senger, a Naperville Republican, would allow schools to immediately transfer students to alternative programs if juvenile or criminal proceedings alleging the commission of a felony are pending. The proposal is in response to a Naperville case in which police say an attack involving Gregory Middle School students occurred Nov. 11 in a home on Naperville's south side. Parents of the victim wanted the alleged assailants removed from the school. A12-year-old and 11-year-old face felony charges of criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault. The 11-year-old also faces a misdemeanor count of battery for a separate incident involving the same alleged victim, this time in the halls of Gregory. DuPage County Regional Superintendent Dr. Darlene Ruscitti is also scheduled to testify. The central issue is what school officials can do with students alleged to have committed crimes off school grounds. The school district's attorney, Jack Canna, has warned board members they have little, if any, authority to discipline students for off-campus actions. School board member Curt Bradshaw will also testify before the committee. He's previously said if it were his decision alone, the accused students would be moved for the sake of the classmate. Recently, the alleged 12-year-old assailant transferred out of District 204 to Lincoln Junior High School in neighboring Naperville Unit District 203. A court order is keeping the other student at Gregory Middle School but 100 feet away from that classmate. www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=276412&src=10 I am in shock. I was just told (by a parent that knows one of the families personally) that the boy who transferred did so simply because he had to live with his father and D204 had nothing to do with that at all. Whereas the primary offender is the one who remains at the school. I was under the impression that the district had a hand in the transfer out of the district. She told me that alot of parents did not understand the dynamics behind one tranferring and other remaining but again it had nothing to do with D204 taking a stand and even transferring these children within the district to make the victim more comfortable. That is too bad.
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Post by warriormom on Mar 4, 2009 10:40:00 GMT -5
Naperville dad takes student safety case to CapitolBy Nicole Milstead | Daily Herald SPRINGFIELD - The father of a Naperville middle school student allegedly sexually assaulted by classmates will testify Wednesday at the Capitol in support of a proposed law intended to clarify when students can be removed from schools. The legislation proposed by state Rep. Darlene Senger, a Naperville Republican, would allow schools to immediately transfer students to alternative programs if juvenile or criminal proceedings alleging the commission of a felony are pending. The proposal is in response to a Naperville case in which police say an attack involving Gregory Middle School students occurred Nov. 11 in a home on Naperville's south side. Parents of the victim wanted the alleged assailants removed from the school. A12-year-old and 11-year-old face felony charges of criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault. The 11-year-old also faces a misdemeanor count of battery for a separate incident involving the same alleged victim, this time in the halls of Gregory. DuPage County Regional Superintendent Dr. Darlene Ruscitti is also scheduled to testify. The central issue is what school officials can do with students alleged to have committed crimes off school grounds. The school district's attorney, Jack Canna, has warned board members they have little, if any, authority to discipline students for off-campus actions. School board member Curt Bradshaw will also testify before the committee. He's previously said if it were his decision alone, the accused students would be moved for the sake of the classmate. Recently, the alleged 12-year-old assailant transferred out of District 204 to Lincoln Junior High School in neighboring Naperville Unit District 203. A court order is keeping the other student at Gregory Middle School but 100 feet away from that classmate. www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=276412&src=10 I am in shock. I was just told (by a parent that knows one of the families personally) that the boy who transferred did so simply because he had to live with his father and D204 had nothing to do with that at all. Whereas the primary offender is the one who remains at the school. I was under the impression that the district had a hand in the transfer out of the district. She told me that alot of parents did not understand the dynamics behind one tranferring and other remaining but again it had nothing to do with D204 taking a stand and even transferring these children within the district to make the victim more comfortable. That is too bad. you heard correctly; the childs move to 203 had nothing to do with our school board or admin. His mother passed away in December and he went to live with his father who resides in 203.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Mar 4, 2009 10:49:29 GMT -5
BTW:
The SB indicated yesterday that they will be meeting with the victim's family and the accused's family on Friday in a closed meeting. Let's hope we get some resolution on this matter.
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Post by drdavelasik on Mar 4, 2009 10:53:01 GMT -5
BTW: The SB indicated yesterday that they will be meeting with the victim's family and the accused's family on Friday in a closed meeting. Let's hope we get some resolution on this matter. Glad to hear that they are FINALLY taking time to meet. After all they say better late than never. Too bad it took all this media exposure to light a fire under their buns. I hope the victim's family can get some form of resolution to their demands in this meeting.
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Post by momto4 on Mar 4, 2009 12:13:53 GMT -5
I am in shock. I was just told (by a parent that knows one of the families personally) that the boy who transferred did so simply because he had to live with his father and D204 had nothing to do with that at all. Whereas the primary offender is the one who remains at the school. I was under the impression that the district had a hand in the transfer out of the district. She told me that alot of parents did not understand the dynamics behind one tranferring and other remaining but again it had nothing to do with D204 taking a stand and even transferring these children within the district to make the victim more comfortable. That is too bad. I was never under the impression that our district had anything to do with that transfer. Where did people get that idea, I wonder. From the news reports and discussion here it was always apparent that his parent transferred him.
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Post by momto4 on Mar 4, 2009 12:15:13 GMT -5
BTW: The SB indicated yesterday that they will be meeting with the victim's family and the accused's family on Friday in a closed meeting. Let's hope we get some resolution on this matter. Glad to hear that they are FINALLY taking time to meet. After all they say better late than never. Too bad it took all this media exposure to light a fire under their buns. I hope the victim's family can get some form of resolution to their demands in this meeting. The SB did not have the opportunity to take any sort of action prior to this going to the media as they were not made aware. If they had been aware back in November, things may have played out differently. It is also hard to get satisfactory resolution within the confines of the law, and that's why it's good to have someone like Darlene Senger advocating for the necessary changes.
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Post by warriormom on Mar 4, 2009 16:15:15 GMT -5
Glad to hear that they are FINALLY taking time to meet. After all they say better late than never. Too bad it took all this media exposure to light a fire under their buns. I hope the victim's family can get some form of resolution to their demands in this meeting. The SB did not have the opportunity to take any sort of action prior to this going to the media as they were not made aware. If they had been aware back in November, things may have played out differently. It is also hard to get satisfactory resolution within the confines of the law, and that's why it's good to have someone like Darlene Senger advocating for the necessary changes. It depends on how you define "made aware". I know with 100% certainty that a board member was spoken to personally 1 or 2 days after the incident and was given the horrific details. I also find it very hard to believe that AT was not aware as she lives in the same subdivision which was talking about this issue in Nov. and Dec. I don't even live there and learned of it in early Dec.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Mar 4, 2009 19:59:06 GMT -5
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