Illinois could strengthen anti-hazing laws

An Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman wants to strengthen the state’s laws to crack down on hazing.

Stadelman’s proposal, Senate Bill 2934, would eliminate what he calls a loophole in the law, clearing up the concept of consent in this law. Stadelman says it could be considered consent right now if someone accepts an invitation to an event or agrees to go somewhere and then gets hazed. He says that so-called loophole lets people charged with hazing crimes avoid consequences. His bill would make it clear that consent in these instances would not prevent people from being prosecuted.

Stadelman pointed to recent high profile controversies in Illinois as a reason for his proposal. A recent investigation found the Eastern Illinois University swim team violated the university’s hazing policies. The bill passed the Senate and now heads to the House.

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