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Lawmakers Will Hold Public Hearing Over Chicago Schools Sexual Abuse Cases

Illinois Senate Democrats
State Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), said she enlisted the help of her colleagues in the House and Senate Education Committees to hold a joint public hearing in Chicago, after a Tribune investigation uncovered cases of sexual abuse within CPS.

After a Chicago Tribune investigation uncovered years of sexual abuse in the city’s public schools, Illinois lawmakers are calling on school officials for answers. A hearing is scheduled Wednesday morning in Chicago.

The investigation found instances where administrators did not report the abuse to the proper authorities, even after some of the students came forward. In other cases, the alleged abusers remained employed while the misconduct persisted.

State Sen. Jacqueline Collins, D-Chicago, said she initiated talks with her colleagues in the Senate and House Education Committees to schedule a joint hearing. Chicago Public Schools officials are expected to attend.

Collins said lawmakers, the public and the victims want to hold the right people accountable. “The adults betrayed the trust of the children they were obligated to educate and protect,” she said. "So, on many levels, it was widespread, systemic failure."

Chicago Tribune reporter David Jackson, who was part of the team looking into the misconduct, said officials from Chicago Public Schools wouldn’t share how many students had been affected. But after the newspaper’s lawyers threatened a lawsuit, officials began to release some information, he said.

Collins said the secrecy around the issue has prompted her and others in the General Assembly to file legislation meant to help close loopholes in reporting sexual misconduct. But they are not likely to consider new legislation until they return to Springfield in November for veto session. While they wait for November to come, Collins said, they have to take advantage of the Tribune’s investigation and the momentum it has caused to examine the issue – not just in Chicago but statewide.

“With this whole MeToo movement, we’ve seen on many levels, in different venues, there’s been sexual misconduct,” she said. “So I wouldn’t dismiss the idea – or the assumption – that it’s across the school districts across the state.”

Collins said other lawmakers might consider holding their own public hearings in central and southern Illinois. 

Daisy reports on various assignments for NPR Illinois. She graduated from the Public Affairs Reporting master’s degree program at the University of Illinois Springfield, where she spent time covering the legislative session for NPR Illinois' Illinois Issues. Daisy interned then researched for the Chicago Reporter. She obtained an associate degree in French language from Harry S Truman College and a bachelor's degree in communications from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Before coming to Springfield, Daisy worked in communication roles for several Chicago non-profits. Daisy is from Chicago where she attended Lane Tech High School.