A Glen Ellyn public school teacher has recently expressed his concern over the installation of tampons in the boy's bathroom. | J.B. Pritzker/Facebook
A Glen Ellyn public school teacher has recently expressed his concern over the installation of tampons in the boy's bathroom. | J.B. Pritzker/Facebook
A Glen Ellyn public school teacher has recently expressed his concern over the installation of tampons in the boy's bathroom.
The teacher, who requested anonymity, stated that they went to inspect the restroom after a student inquired about the presence of tampons in the boys' bathroom.
"I went into the bathroom to check it out and sure enough, they installed tampon dispensers last week, over spring break," the teacher stated, "In my opinion, this isn't going to help anyone. It's just going to lead to confusion and distraction."
The new dispenser is the result of Governor Pritzker's signing of House Bill 156 (H.B. 156) last year, according to a My Stateline report.
According to Patch, the bill went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year.
The bill requires that all boys' and girls' restrooms for students in grades 4 to 12 provide feminine hygiene products for free.
Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) sponsored H.B. 156, stating that the bill is "really important for young menstruaters.
Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Chicago) also voted in favor of the legislation, noting the likelihood that transgender students would require feminine hygiene products.
However, Republican legislators rejected the bill for a number of reasons, including that it was needless and costly, according to NPR.
Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) spoke out against the bill, arguing that "to put female products in a male bathroom is not only confusing to a sixth-grader but completely inapplicable."
Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) asked lawmakers to allow local governments to address the issue.
“We need to have faith in our local school districts," Bourne said, "They are caring for students in the way that they need to be cared for."
Additionally, several Democratic legislators joined Republican legislators in voting against the bill's advancement.
Residents and students have also expressed their opposition to the introduction of feminine hygiene products to the boy's restroom during a recent board meeting at Lyons Township High School.
"Boys don't menstruate, so they would have no use for a tampon," one resident said, "I don't think you should lie to kids; you have biological males, biological females."
"If someone needs to use the tampon, they need to be in the girl's bathroom," one female student stated.
Additionally, she stated that the recently installed tampon dispensers had been damaged.
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