Johnson law prohibits corporal punishment in private schools

SPRINGFIELD - To safeguard students statewide and ensure they are treated with respect in schools, State Senator Adriane Johnson spearheaded a law tackling corporal punishment in private and non-public schools.

"Every child deserves a safe and nurturing learning environment," said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). "Extending the ban on corporal punishment to all schools ensures no student in Illinois is subjected to physical punishment - which has been shown to have damaging effects on their well-being and development."

The new law extends prohibitions on corporal and physical punishment in all schools in Illinois, rather than just public schools, except the use of certain restraints in specific circumstances to prevent a student from imminently harming themselves or others. Johnson's law makes Illinois the fifth state in the nation to extend the ban on corporal punishment to non-public schools.

"Corporal punishment has no place in our educational system," said Johnson. "By banning these practices, we are advocating for healthier, more effective methods of discipline that respect the dignity of our students."

House Bill 4175 goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.