The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois is thrilled by the passage of HB 2675, a comprehensive sexual health education bill, by the Illinois Senate last Wednesday. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (ACLU-IL) played a major role in moving this legislation forward. Illinois State Senator Linda Holmes, a co-sponsor of the bill, congratulated fellow lawmakers for sending the bill to Governor Pat Quinn for his signature. She told WUIS Radio, “In fantasy land, we teach our kids abstinence –- and they listen. But we know they don’t necessarily follow that advice. They are going to be confronted with the issue of sex before they’re 21 years old, or 25, or whenever they decide to get married.”  The bill creates a standard for existing sexual health education courses in grades six through 12; provides medically accurate, age-appropriate, professionally presented information on reducing sexually transmitted diseases, as well as unintended pregnancies; ensures that local school districts can choose curricula that meet their community’s standards; and allows for parents to remove their children from sexual health education courses for any reason without penalty to their child.

The ACLU of Illinois urges Governor Quinn to sign HB 2675 into law.