Illinois lawmakers stress school safety as top priority following Iowa school shooting

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois lawmakers approved a plan last year to allow first responders to get inside schools faster during emergencies. Leaders on both sides of the aisle are focused on passing more legislation this year to keep students and staff safe.

A law that took effect Monday requires school emergency and crisis response plans to include procedures for law enforcement to quickly enter buildings during emergencies. Lead sponsor Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) said school shootings are sadly happening at record rates and Illinois schools need to be prepared.

"We don't live in a care-free time anymore," Morrison said. "Until we are able to really control the gun violence that has taken over our communities across the state and across the nation, we have to do everything we can to keep our kids safe in their schools."

Morrison's law gained strong bipartisan support and passed unanimously out of both chambers last spring. The senator said she is glad Illinois Democrats and Republicans recognize that this is a critical issue.

"I now have grandchildren that go to school, and I worry about them walking into their school buildings," Morrison said. "I see when I go to pick them up all the different safety protocols that are now in place."

Iowa school shooting — People hug outside of Perry High School following a shooting inside the building on January 14, 2024.

Lawmakers could pass a separate plan this spring to help schools provide crisis response mapping data to local, county, state and federal first responders. Sponsors and advocates believe this data could help law enforcement act much quicker to mitigate threats.

"We have to provide the essential tools to law enforcement so they can adequately and efficiently respond in the event of an emergency," said Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel.

This proposal would require the Illinois State Board of Education to provide grants to public schools to cover the costs to obtain crisis mapping data. Funding for this idea could be a top priority for budget negotiators over the coming months.

Senate Bill 2577 is co-sponsored by four Democrats and 15 Republicans. However, the plan has not been assigned to a Senate committee.

"This bill ensures the local law enforcement and first responders have access to accurate, current crisis response mapping data," stressed Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris).