Illinois bill seeks to force 62% of colleges to report sexual assault

For Illinois students navigating campus sexual violence, the process for seeking redress could change under a bill moving toward its final legislative vote. The Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act would expand the legal rights of survivors and increase state oversight of university compliance.

Current state law requires colleges and universities to file an annual report with the Illinois Attorney General's office regarding campus incidents. Only 38% of institutions are currently meeting this requirement. This leaves 62% of schools without a formal mechanism for public disclosure under the existing framework.

Carrie Ward, CEO of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, said the low compliance rate masks the true scale of the problem. She stated that the actual number of incidents is far greater than what is being reported. The coalition helped draft the legislation to close this gap.

State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, a Democrat from Arlington Heights and the House sponsor of the bill, explained that the new law gives the Attorney General's office more power. She told NBC Chicago that the bill provides more teeth to ensure schools have proper policies and are turning over their reporting. Canty noted that the measure would also require colleges to address digital sexual harassment, including revenge porn.

The legislation creates a new pathway for survivors to pursue legal action against their institutions. A student must first reach out to the school in writing, identifying where the administration failed to follow its own policy. If the school does not adequately address the case, the survivor can then take legal action. The bill also allows victims to attend campus proceedings with both legal and mental health support.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center reports that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men experience sexual assault in college. Ward said a victim's future academic success often depends on how the college handles their case. If students feel they cannot return to class or their major, their education is deeply impacted.

The Illinois Senate passed the bill with a bipartisan majority in the spring. Lawmakers are expected to consider the measure during next month's fall veto session.