Edly-Allen to Host Title IX Panel on Sexual Violence with Attorney General’s Office, Lake County Sheriff Idleburg and Local Colleges

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – In response to increased awareness of sexual violence on college campuses and new federal proposals to weaken protections for survivors of sexual assault, state Rep. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville, is hosting an informational session on Title IX on Thursday, Aug. 8 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Libertyville High School, located at 708 W Park Ave. in Libertyville

“An alarming amount of women will experience some form of sexual violence in their life,” said Edly-Allen. “In addition to working as a community to reduce cases of sexual violence, we must bring policymakers, the community, and universities and colleges together to provide as many resources as possible to survivors of campus-based violence. That is why in addition to supporting legislation in Springfield to strengthen protections and bring justice to survivors, I am hosting this panel to educate our community on this important issue.”

The panel will consist of experts in Title IX laws and sexual violence. The panel includes Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg, Deputy Bureau Chief in the Civil Rights Division of the State Attorney General’s Office Alicia Weber, College of Lake County Title IX coordinator Teresa Aguinaldo and University of Illinois- Chicago Title IX coordinator Michael Diaz. The panel will discuss protections for survivors of assault on college campuses, current Title IX laws and the proposed federal changes to Title IX laws. There will also be time for questions from the audience.

“As a parent, I know it can be terrifying to send your children off to college.  It is imperative to educate ourselves on these important issues,” Edly-Allen added. “I encourage all parents to attend, bring their teens if they feel it’s appropriate, learn about the work being done to protect our students while they’re away at school, and share ideas with me on how we can guarantee these protections for young women in Illinois regardless of what Washington decides to do.”