Eye On Illinois: Mother’s push for new legislation is a model of citizen advocacy

Ashley Peden is a shining example of persistence, bravery, activism and selflessness.

Peden, of Taylorville, was the star of a Capitol news conference last week on the subject of Senate Bill 98. But the teacher and mother didn’t so much seek the spotlight as accept the power of her family’s experience as impetus for improving conditions for everyone.

According to Capitol News Illinois, “Peden said that between late January and early February 2024, her 10-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted by an older student who was 14 years old on their school bus and at their bus stop. The assaults increased in severity every day until the final assault, where her daughter was chased from her bus stop and raped.”

Peden is backing SB 98 because current state law doesn’t compel schools to expel students determined to have committed sexual violence or assault against another student when there is a tangible connection to the school. State Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, sponsors the bill. State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Murrayville, has an identical bill in his chamber.

Both lawmakers say it’s important for schools to treat sexual violence on the same level as other mandatory expulsion triggers such as bringing certain weapons onto school property.

Proponents could go even further, asking for the situations to be flipped. After all, there are plausible – if unlikely – scenarios where banned items could end up in a backpack or locker, and there are plenty of people willing to posit the presence of a weapon is not in itself an act of violence. Yet the type of sexual assault Peden described is never defensible or accidental.

As Davidsmeyer said, “It’s not punishment for the individual who committed the crime. It’s to protect all of our kids and to ensure that the people who committed the crimes get the help that they need.”

Telling her family’s story is brave. Taking the issue to the school board, courts and lawmakers is citizen activism worth modeling. Peden could’ve stopped once she felt her child was safe, but that’s not the kind of ethos we expect from a teacher, a professional trained to consider the best interests of all students whenever possible.

SB 98 may draw detractors. There may be arguments that it limits discretion, carries unintended consequences or needs to be stronger. But strong support seems likely, so it’s worth observing the legislative process, if nothing else to further understand how Springfield operates.

That said, the entire issue also presents an opportunity: Contact your local school district. Inquire about their mandatory expulsion policy and if it’s equal to or stronger than state law. Local boards can adopt the guidelines SB 98 dictates. Concerned taxpayers could be a powerful force for movement in that direction.

• Scott T. Holland writes about state government issues for Shaw Local News Network. He can be reached at sholland@shawmedia.com.