In a lawsuit, Diana Mondragon alleged that as a student she was sexually abused by a teacher at her suburban high school.
She recently settled the claim for nearly $1 million. But Mondragon isn’t finished with her fight.
Now, the 34-year-old woman is speaking out in favor of proposed state legislation that would make it illegal for an educator to have a sexual relationship with a student, even if that student is above the legal age of 18.
“There is no law that protects this teen group,” said Tania Haigh, executive director of the children’s advocacy group, Kids Too.
The nonprofit is among the supporters of House Bill 4241, first introduced last year.
“If we are going to make it easier for an educator to be licensed in our state, then all the more reason to…have zero tolerance for any predatory adult,” Haigh said.
In Mondragon’s case, the teacher was never charged due to a lack of evidence of sexual misconduct before she was 18 years old. He did, however, lose his license.
Under HB 4241, that relationship could’ve led to criminal charges.
“Most child abuse is invisible – it’s silent,” Mondragon said. “It’s happening between an adult that knows the child. What I kept hearing [was that] she never said anything. She never complained.”
Chicago Public Schools also supports the bill, though it’s unclear where the Chicago Teachers Union stands.
The bill recently passed out of the House. But has not been called to a vote in the Senate. Some hope that will happen by early next year.
