SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois State Board of Education has taken emergency action to limit the use of “isolation rooms” at schools.
Recent reports said thousands of students have been placed into these rooms, which are meant for students who are believed to pose physical threats to others.
However, the reports said the rooms are being used for placement of students who commit infractions such as spilling milk and swearing.
Governor J.B. Pritzker called the situation an abuse of power.
“Under my watch, this is something that should not happen,” he said.
“These were rules that were put in place before I got here, and they’re unacceptable and we’re going to make a change.
“We’ve gone to the Illinois State Board of Education to make emergency rules to make change across our state in every single facility, every single school in our state where that may be happening.”
The emergency rules include banning all isolation practices, limiting punishment to a “timeout room” with a trained adult in the room and an unlocked door, and putting strict limitations on when physical restraint can be used.
The U.S. Department of Education conducted a study in 2013 that showed Illinois used isolation rooms more than any other state.
