Metro East Sun

When Faith Colson was an Illinois high school student, she felt special under the attention of one of her teachers. He became a trusted adult until he kissed her and sexually abused her, betraying her trust.

During legal proceedings related to the abuse, Faith learned that several adults within her high school suspected the teacher’s relationship with her was inappropriate but did not take action to report their concerns. As a result of her experiences, Faith pushed for changes to state laws related to educator sexual misconduct in K-12 schools. Faith’s Law was passed by the 102nd General Assembly as two separate pieces of legislation: the first went into effect in December 2021, and the second part became effective in July 2023.

The original legislation established the definition of sexual misconduct within the School Code and outlined requirements for schools to develop and post employee code of professional conduct policies. The updated legislation adds employment history reviews as part of the hiring and vetting process for schools and school contractors, requires notices to be provided to parents/guardians and the applicable student when there is an alleged act of sexual misconduct, and makes other changes to how schools must handle allegations of sexual misconduct.

Faith’s Law was intended to protect all students but did not consider those who were 18 years old or older. Consequently, when a student turned 18, they were no longer protected by Faith’s Law. Additionally, in Illinois, students with disabilities can continue their high school education until they reach age 23; they too are not covered by the law.

Illinois State Representative Amy Elik identified this loophole when a close relative was abused by her teacher. Elik’s legislation aims to close this loophole and protect all students, regardless of age, from acts of sexual conduct or abuse by an educator or school staff member. Despite its necessity, the legislation remains stalled in the Senate assignments committee.

Listen to Betraying Faith on the Capitol Crimes Podcast below: