An End to ‘Quiet Rooms’ in Illinois?

Illinois lawmakers are cracking down on the practice of secluding and restraining students. A new bill passed this week by the General Assembly bars the use of so-called “quiet rooms.” It will also phase out the use of facedown restraints, which can make it hard for children to breathe. These new regulations come 18 months after a joint investigation by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois showed that school staff were secluding and restraining students at astonishingly high rates, especially kids with disabilities. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with two of the reporters who have been shedding light on the practice.

Guests: 

Jennifer Smith Richards, Reporter, Chicago Tribune

Jodi Cohen, Reporter, ProPublica Illinois

Read the "Quiet Rooms" investigation

More on legislation that aims to ban seclusion

Keeping All Students Safe Act

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