Senate Approves McClure-Sponsored Measure to Help Abused Children Stay in Their Schools

When children are removed from their homes by DCFS, they often end up in a different home, outside of their school district. In certain situations, those children may not be able to stay in their current school. The Illinois Senate has passed legislation filed by State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) designed to ensure that these children are able to attend school in the district where they previously resided.

McClure said, “Abused children who have been removed from their home have already suffered enough, they shouldn’t be pulled from their school and their friends and dropped into a strange environment. This legislation will allow them to continue their educational process in a familiar place surrounded by their friends and peers.”

Under current law, depending on what home children are placed in by DCFS, they may or may not be able to attend school in the district where they previously resided.

Senate Bill 2824, filed by McClure, closes the loophole and ensures that all children who have been removed from their homes by DCFS are able to attend their original school district, if determined by DCFS to be in the best interest of the child. This includes situations where a student is moving from elementary to middle school, or from middle school to high school.

“This is the right thing to do to help ensure stability for kids who may desperately need it,” added McClure.

SB2824 passed the Senate and now awaits action in the Illinois House.