Villa-Backed Initiative to Help At-Risk Youth With Anger Management Sent to Governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of her continued efforts to help students with mental health issues, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, recently supported a measure that will provide educators with research and recommendations on best practices for curriculum needs to assist at-risk youth with anger management concerns.

“Through my experience as a school social worker, I understand that there are a variety of reasons why children may have trouble dealing with anger and expressing their feelings, including issues with home life or experiences with bullying. These students need continued support from their parents or guardians, teachers and mental health professionals,” said Villa. “This legislation will help to bring school social workers together with other children’s mental health experts, teachers and lawmakers to explore options about how to best help and support at-risk youth.”

Villa supported House Bill 3086, which will 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. The initiative received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Illinois House of Representatives and state Senate, and has advanced to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk to be signed into law.

“I urge the governor to sign this legislation because each and every student, regardless of anger management concerns, behavioral issues or developmental disabilities, deserves the opportunity to access the same quality education and chance to grow and succeed,” continued Villa. “This legislation will help to provide educators with the resources to support at-risk students, ensuring that students with anger management concerns receive the same learning opportunities as their peers.”