Among the measures Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker recently signed was HB 156, which requires school districts to make menstrual hygiene products available, at no cost to students, in each bathroom available to students in grades four through 12, according to a release from his office.
HB 156 passed Aug. 12.
Equality Illinois Director of Communications Myles Brady Davis said in a statement sent to Windy City Times, “Equality Illinois is excited HB 156 was approved by Gov. Pritzker. By expanding access to menstrual hygiene products in schools used by students in grades 4-12, the initiative affirms and is responsive to the health needs of all youth who menstruate, including trans students.
“We applaud the leadership of Rep. [Barbara] Hernandez and Sen. [Karina] Villa, especially in the face of vicious transphobic attacks in the Illinois General Assembly. Illinois continues to move forward.”
According to http://MyStateLine.com, state Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) spoke out in opposition to the bill, asking, “Why do you feel it is appropriate to put menstrual products in male bathrooms for children?” Hernandez argued that a male friend could grab one for a female friend in the case of an emergency, while state Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Chicago) added they could also be used by transgender students.