Quinn signs anti-bullying legislation

  

June 27, 2010 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Gov. Pat Quinn has signed legislation into law that aims at reducing bullying in Illinois schools.

Quinn signed the bill Sunday at a Chicago school and the law goes into effect immediately. His office says the measure expands the definition of bullying to include communications via e-mail, text message or social networking Web sites.

Quinn says the new law "helps schools protect students so they can succeed both inside and outside of the classroom."

"It was really difficult for me, and I definitely felt some isolation and frustration that the administration did little to support LGBT students. And there's not enough being done. So, it was difficult" Anna Rangos, a victim of bullying, told ABC7 Chicago.

It requires Illinois schools to have gang-prevention training and creates a 15-member School Bullying Prevention Task Force in the state. The task force must prepare a report for the Illinois governor by March 1.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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