New Illinois law mandates inclusion of contraceptives in sexual education programs

Due to budget cuts, many U.S. schools have removed sexual education from their district's curriculum. However, Illinois high schools that continue to offer these classes will now be required to incorporate information on preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) through the use of contraceptives, in addition to the abstinence-based material, according to a recent article published by the Huffington Post.

The newspaper reported that the new law passed by the minimum number of votes necessary to instate legislation, and that it was met with much opposition from some family groups and conservatives.

"There's been some suggestion that perhaps this isn't needed, that there's not a problem. Well, I'd like to give you the facts that suggest very much why this bill is needed," said Senator Heather Steans, a Democrat from Chicago who sponsored the mandate, quoted by the news provider.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 account for nearly half of the more than 19 million new STD cases reported annually in the U.S.