Gov. JB Pritkzer signed an executive order Sunday that aims to strengthen protections for transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming students across Illinois.
The order calls for the creation of a 25-member task force of educators, students, medical professionals and more that will examine existing school rules around the state and nation to determine best practices for creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ students.
It also directs the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to develop models for policies related to facilities, physical education, activities and programs, student records, pronouns, names and dress codes.
Morning Shift checks in with a Chicago healthcare organization that supports the executive order and a Chicago high school student who identifies as trans non-binary.
GUESTS: V Rezac, rising sophomore at Lane Tech College Prep
David Ernesto Munar, president and CEO of Howard Brown Health
LEARN MORE: Governor’s new task force to study discrimination against transgender students (Chicago Sun-Times 6/30/19)