Illinois students are at risk. Senate Bill 1943, Senate Amendment 1, currently under consideration by lawmakers, threatens to undo critical protections designed to safeguard children from the harmful and inhumane practices of restraint and seclusion in schools. This bill represents a significant step backward for student safety and well-being.
In recent years, investigative reporting by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica uncovered widespread abuse of physical restraint and seclusion (often referred to as “time out”) in Illinois schools. These practices disproportionately affect young children, students of color, and students with disabilities, including those with autism, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disabilities. In response to these findings, Illinois enacted a 2021 law aimed at reducing reliance on these harmful interventions.
However, a shocking 2023 report from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) revealed that the problem has only worsened. According to ISBE’s own data, incidents of restraint and seclusion have increased rather than decreased. Even more alarming is the rise in the use of supine restraint—a dangerous practice that involves forcing a child face-up on the ground.
Instead of addressing these issues and strengthening protections for students, Senate Bill 1943 would roll back the progress made in recent years. If passed, this bill would:
- Allow schools to once again seclude students in locked rooms.
- Redefine terms like “physical restraint” and “time out” to obscure how often these practices are used.
- Limit investigations into complaints and remove options for parents to resolve disputes when their children are harmed.
- Lower training requirements for school staff, even as incidents involving restraint and seclusion continue to rise.
This bill is not only unnecessary but also dangerous. The issues it claims to address have already been clarified by ISBE guidance, making this legislation redundant.
The Senate Education Committee is scheduled to hear Senate Bill 1943 on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., making it crucial for concerned citizens to act now. Parents, educators, advocates, and community members can make their voices heard by submitting an electronic witness slip as an opponent of the bill.
Click here to file a witness slip online. It only takes a few minutes but could make all the difference in protecting Illinois students from harm.
Students deserve safe and supportive learning environments—not policies that endanger their physical and emotional well-being. By standing against Senate Bill 1943, we can ensure that every child is treated with dignity and respect. Let’s take action now to protect our most vulnerable learners. File a witness slip today!
For more information on the bill’s status, visit the bill page.
