Chicago Public Schools is launching a new department to respond to sex abuse allegations in an effort to reassure parents about their children's safety at school.
CPS announced its plan Wednesday for the new internal agency to address sex abuse allegations, hours before teachers and parents planned to rally before the day's school board meeting.
The new 20-member "Office of Student Protections and Title IX" will oversee investigations of student-on-student bullying and abuse, refer complaints of student abuse by adults to the schools' inspector general and oversee support for students who come forward.
CPS says the $3 million department will be operational by the fall.
The announcement comes after an investigation that documented broad lapses in CPS' response to sexual abuse.