Lilly Highlights Measure to Help At-Risk Students with Anger Management Issues

CHICAGO – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is highlighting her measure to assist at-risk students with anger management concerns through the commission of a task force to deliver recommendations on best practices for curriculum needs and funding.

“Students with anger management concerns represent some of our most at-risk young people and it is critical that we give them the support they need and the support they deserve,” Lilly said. “By convening an expert panel of school social workers, children’s mental health experts, and other education experts, educators and legislators will have guidance on the best practices needed for students with anger management concerns and how to fund programs to support them.”

Lilly sponsored House Bill 3086, a measure to require the state’s Emotional Intelligence and Social and Emotional Learning Task Force to provide education professionals with instruction and strategies on addressing the needs of students with anger management issues. Previously, the task force was convened under the support of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to develop age-appropriate social and emotional learning guidelines and best practices for grade schools and high schools. The task force contains a variety of stakeholders representing school districts, school boards, school social workers, psychologists, or nurses, children’s mental health experts, and other education professionals. Lilly’s bill will help provide schools and education professionals in Illinois with best practices for curriculum and instruction for students with anger management issues, as well as program funding mechanisms, in order to provide these students with equitable learning opportunities.

“All students, including those with anger management or other behavioral or emotional concerns, deserve the same opportunity to learn and develop the skills necessary to succeed as citizens and in careers,” Lilly said. “This bill will help equip educators in Illinois with the tools and support necessary to ensure that students experience anger management episodes receives counseling and the same learning opportunities as other students.”