To help ensure stability for children who have been removed from their homes by DCFS, a new law allows the children to stay in their schools, even if their new homes are outside of the school district. The legislation, filed by State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield), is designed to close a loophole where certain children were forced to move out of their schools after they reported abuse.

Senator McClure says it is important that abused children are protected.  One way to protect them is to make sure they are not forced to leave their schools.  He says forcing victims of child abuse to change schools is like punishing them for being abused. 

Under current law, depending on what home a child is 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.

SB 2824 was signed into law on August 9th.