House approves removal of offensive language from state law

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House Thursday took a step toward wiping offensive terms used toward people with disabilities out of the state law books.

Rep. Emily McAsey, a Lockport Democrat, said she worked closely with the Arc of Illinois, an advocacy group for people with disabilities, to encourage the state to take the lead on using empowering language and eliminating offensive terms.

“It’s important to promote the full inclusion of everyone in society,” she said. “I think it’s a laudable goal to promote greater awareness about how words can be very hurtful and promote respect.”

The measure would change all occurrence of the phrase “mentally retarded” in state statute to “intellectually disabled.”

A similar proposal pending in the Senate also would change “crippled” to “physically disabled” in state laws. That measure is sponsored by Palatine Sen. Matt Murphy, and was inspired by Palatine-based attorney Kerry Lavelle, who has a disabled sister and approached Murphy with the idea.

McAsey said that while changing language in state law was one step, her main goal is to educate the public about how those terms hurt and exclude people from society.

“As the daughter of a special educator and a teacher myself who dealt with students that had challenges, I believe it’s important to always keep an eye on these issues in our communities,” she said.

The House approved by a 110-0 vote. The legislation now moves to the Senate.