Illinois lawmaker proposing teacher lessons on ‘consent’

Posted on February 15, 2019
Illinois Capitol
A proposal in the legislature would have Illinois teachers include lessons on “consent” in sex ed. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – We tell our kids that No means No. But Illinois could mandate teachers to include “consent” in a sex education curriculum.

“Clearly, there’s a problem. We’ve seen it with Dr. (Christine) Blasey Ford,” said State Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) referring to accusations against now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. “We’ve seen it with the terrible stories of college campuses, assaults happening, women passed out. I think the sex ed component, including consent — a robust conversation about what consent really means – is important.”

The bill, just introduced Thursday, says lessons would include a lack of response does not constitute consent, nor does how one dresses or how much sex one has had in the past.

Williams says college is too late for these lessons.

HB 2820

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…