Peoria Standard

A bill that would create a Student Mental Health Council to evaluate mental health among students, how mental health resources are being used, and the effect of COVID-19 on students' mental health was discussed on the Senate floor on Feb. 25

After telling the Senate that a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report stated that constant sadness and hopelessness are on the minds of one in three high school students, Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) proposed that a council needs to be set up whose function would be to listen to students' voices.

"I understand there are some questions here about the composition of the council — not the partnership," Barickman said. "My colleagues may have their views on whether that's right or wrong. That council is limited, I think, to the sponsor's point to add a voice to the partnership that she thinks is not there today, whether you agree or disagree with that is up to you. But, I understand that the intent is to add that voice to the partnership that the sponsor thinks is not there today,"

The bill was filed in January by Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago).

The bill passed with 46 Yes votes and zero No votes.