Gov. Quinn signed into law yesterday anti-bullying legislation which expanded the state's bullying laws to include cyber-bullying as well as bullying that pertains to sexual orientation. Darren Reisberg, of the Illinois Board of Education, said that it gives the Board the authority to withhold financing from the school district if they don't feel particular concerns and specific incidents are being addressed: "We ultimately have the ability to come in and address the district's funding." Each school must also have gang-prevention training and the law also creates a 15-member bully-related task force. more ›

The 2006 MySpace suicide case has prompted the Illinois House to draft new legislation on “cyberbullying.” The Cyberbullying Law amends the existing Criminal Code and The Harassing and Obscene Communications Act to ban threats, harassment, and stalking done through the means of electronic communication, and makes violations punishable by up to three years in prison. more ›