Illinois Governor uses Pride Sunday to sign groundbreaking legislation
Mon. June 28, 2010 6:50 AM by Brett Anthony
illinois gov. pat quinn in chicago pride parade
photo credit // kevin wayne
Democratic Gov. Quinn participates in Chicago Pride Parade, Republican gubenatorial candidate Bill Brady skips parade
Chicago, IL -
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn used the Chicago Gay Pride Parade as a backdrop to sign two bills into law that will help prevent suicides among school-aged youth and prohibit bullying of gay youth.
The Governor signed the groundbreaking legislation at the Nettelhorst School in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood just before the parade.
House Bill 4672 will require school social workers for grades seven through 12 to undergo suicide prevention training. The law will help school officials identify the warning signs of suicidal behavior in young adults and help prevent suicides.
"We must do everything we can to protect our youngest citizens," said Governor Quinn. "This new law will help save young lives by making sure schools are better-equipped to monitor suicidal behavior and know when and how to intervene."
Current Illinois law requires only guidance counselors and teachers for grades seven through 12 to be trained in suicide detection and prevention.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of teen suicides has been increasing in recent years, making suicide the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24. Every year teen suicide results in approximately 4,400 lives lost in the U.S.
Public health officials believe suicides can be prevented if school officials are properly trained to identify the warning signs of suicide and properly refer students to mental health resources.
HB 4672 was sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) and Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and is effective immediately.
Senate Bill 3266, the Prevent School Violence Act, will define bullying for the first time in Illinois law and explicitly prohibit bullying based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, as well as other personal characteristics.
After the signing, Democratic Governor Quinn marched in the Pride Parade.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady skipped the Pride Parade instead participating in Geneva's Swedish Day in Kane County, where he expressed support for a reduction of the state's minimum wage.
Asked about participating in the Pride Parade, Brady reportedly responded: "I don't know. I'd have to think about it. I didn't even know the (Pride) Parade was going on today. It is? We're here."
The Governor signed the groundbreaking legislation at the Nettelhorst School in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood just before the parade.
House Bill 4672 will require school social workers for grades seven through 12 to undergo suicide prevention training. The law will help school officials identify the warning signs of suicidal behavior in young adults and help prevent suicides.
"We must do everything we can to protect our youngest citizens," said Governor Quinn. "This new law will help save young lives by making sure schools are better-equipped to monitor suicidal behavior and know when and how to intervene."
Current Illinois law requires only guidance counselors and teachers for grades seven through 12 to be trained in suicide detection and prevention.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of teen suicides has been increasing in recent years, making suicide the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24. Every year teen suicide results in approximately 4,400 lives lost in the U.S.
Public health officials believe suicides can be prevented if school officials are properly trained to identify the warning signs of suicide and properly refer students to mental health resources.
HB 4672 was sponsored by Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) and Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and is effective immediately.
Senate Bill 3266, the Prevent School Violence Act, will define bullying for the first time in Illinois law and explicitly prohibit bullying based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, as well as other personal characteristics.
After the signing, Democratic Governor Quinn marched in the Pride Parade.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady skipped the Pride Parade instead participating in Geneva's Swedish Day in Kane County, where he expressed support for a reduction of the state's minimum wage.
Asked about participating in the Pride Parade, Brady reportedly responded: "I don't know. I'd have to think about it. I didn't even know the (Pride) Parade was going on today. It is? We're here."