SPRINGFIELD – After meeting with a local student who can no longer take her service animal to school due to claims of harassment from other students, State Senator Doris Turner led a resolution to encourage the review of school policies, ensuring they align with laws regarding service animal access.

“Service animals offer critical assistance for individuals – helping to enhance independence and safety – and when students are in need of this specific accommodation at school, a lack of well-defined policies can lead to disability discrimination,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “Whether being used as a vision guide, mobility assistance or medical alert, service animals and the students utilizing them deserve to be safe and protected, especially while they’re at school.” 

Senate Resolution 542 would recognize the importance of service animals in the school setting and encourage a review of policies to ensure that all Illinois schools comply with disability rights laws governing service animal access. Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, service animals are to assist students in equally accessing public schools and are required to be permitted to accompany a student at all school activities, whether in or outside the classroom.

Turner’s measure comes in response to a recent incident involving a Rochester High School student who utilizes a medical alert dog to manager her Type 1 diabetes – alerting the student when her blood sugar drops too low and helping her stay alive. In November, the student reported harassment from other students at a school board meeting, claiming her peers would step on her Labrador’s legs – hurting his hips – pull his tail, throw food at him and bark at him in the hallways. In a TikTok posted by the student, she spoke about the issues and said the school district has not taken action to protect her service animal.

“No student should feel ostracized at school, and especially not because of a medical necessity like needing a service animal,” said Turner. “This situation brings to light the importance of legal compliance, the value of schools knowing how to manage conflicts, and the gravity of supporting all students, no matter their needs.

Senate Resolution 542 was adopted by the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.