Advocates and a survivor of sexual abuse by a high school teacher gathered Monday to address a legal loophole in Illinois that leaves older high school students vulnerable. Currently, if a teacher or staff member sexually abuses a high school student who is 18 or older, they cannot be criminally charged under Illinois law.
Faith Colson, a survivor who was abused by her physics teacher at Schaumburg High School when she was 17, highlighted the issue. Although her abuser was prosecuted and convicted, Colson emphasized that had the abuse occurred after she turned 18, there would have been no legal recourse.
“In Illinois, teachers can be fired for having sexual relationships with students. However, if the student is over 18, they can’t be charged criminally,” Colson explained. “It’s arbitrary to say that suddenly, a student can consent to sex when they turn 18 when they can’t consent to not going to school – they can’t graduate high school.”
Colson argued that without criminal charges, sexually abusive teachers might easily find other jobs working with children.
Dan Vosnos, executive director of Unique Learners Unite, advocates for a specific population impacted by this loophole: students with disabilities. At GiGi’s PlayHouse in Hoffman Estates, which provides programming for individuals with Down syndrome, Vosnos pointed out that students with disabilities can attend school until age 22 in Illinois. Many of these students may not understand when inappropriate lines are crossed.
Vosnos and Colson support legislation to criminalize sexual relations between teachers and students aged 18 to 23. A recent bill, HB4241, which aims to close this loophole, has passed the Illinois state House of Representatives and is currently awaiting action in the state Senate.
“These individuals are left unprotected,” Vosnos said. “Students, to have any chance of a future, are required to have a high school graduation, and they need to be safe until they have that diploma.”
Chicago Public Schools, the Illinois Principals Association, and the Illinois Association of School Administrators all support HB4241.
Allegations Against West Suburban Teacher
The legislation comes amid similar allegations against a former west suburban teacher and coach, Dallas Hill. Since June 2021, three women have filed lawsuits against Hill and the school districts that employed him. They claim Hill groomed and sexually abused students at Elmwood Park High School and Morton East High School in Cicero. The lawsuits allege that school staff knew of Hill’s behavior and failed to report it. Hill has not been charged with any crimes.
Advocates remain determined to see the loophole closed, ensuring that all students are protected until they complete their education.