When a teacher begins grooming a student before graduation, waiting until their 18th birthday doesn't make it any less abusive—it just makes it legal.

That’s the horrifying truth in Illinois right now. Teachers and other school staff who start sexual relationships with their students—even those as young as 18—face no criminal charges as long as the student is technically “of age.” But when a teacher holds power over a student—grading them, mentoring them, guiding their future—consent isn’t truly equal.

Faith Colson was one of those students. She was groomed by her teacher while still in school, and for 17 years she lived with the shame and confusion that experience left behind. Her abuser is now a registered sex offender—but only because prosecutors could prove the abuse began before her 18th birthday. If he had waited, he wouldn’t have faced criminal charges at all.

That legal loophole still exists. And it’s putting students at risk every single day.

Two bills—HB 4241 and HB 2446—would have closed that gap, making it a crime for teachers to have sex with students ages 18 to 22 if they’re still enrolled in school. But both bills have stalled in the Illinois legislature, even as stories of abuse continue to come to light.

We’re calling on the Illinois State Senate and Governor JB Pritzker to urgently revive and pass this legislation. Students deserve to be protected while they’re still students. A classroom should never be a hunting ground for predators in positions of power.

Illinois has already passed Faith’s Law, which was a huge step forward. Now we must finish what that law started and send a clear message: the grooming of students, at any age, will no longer be tolerated or ignored.

Please sign and share this petition to help protect the next generation of students from abuse disguised as “consent.”