SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois State Board of Education has suspended the licenses of nearly 50 educators across the state charged with sex crimes, violent felonies or certain drug offenses.

The Daily Southtown reports that the board began suspending the licenses of eligible teachers earlier this month. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a measure into law in late August seeking to strengthen student safety protections.

Board spokeswoman Jackie Matthews says the agency had suspended at least 45 licensees as of Friday.

The school workers whose licenses were suspended under the law include teachers, coaches and administrators from about two-dozen urban, suburban and rural districts in Illinois. About half of those suspended are based in Cook and the collar counties.