Illinois House passes bill calling for new student discipline procedures, sends plan to Pritzker

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill heading to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could help make schools safer through new student discipline procedures.

The Illinois House passed legislation Friday to require the Illinois State Board of Education to draft and publish guidance for development of reciprocal reporting systems between schools and law enforcement.

This measure also calls on ISBE to publish guidance for re-engagement of students suspended, expelled or returning from an alternative school setting.

However, some Republicans argue this guidance is unnecessary and an overreach.

"This bill is in response to districts reaching out asking for more parameters so that they can be more effective when it comes to student discipline," said Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford).

Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) presents Senate Bill 1400 on the House floor on May 24, 2024.

The proposal also requires new guidance for school bus safety and evidence-based intervention procedures.

Senate Bill 1400 passed out of the House on a 106-5 vote. It previously passed out of the Senate on a 54-2 vote.

"There's so much happening in our schools," said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood). "We want to make sure that kids are learning and getting the best education they can. But we also want the teachers and the management, the whole building, to feel safe and to feel like it's an institution for learning."