School panic alert system

The law requires public and private schools to consider using a mobile panic alert system for emergency and crisis response. 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a bill into law to help schools alert first responders about emergencies faster.

The law requires public and private schools to consider using a mobile panic alert system for emergency and crisis response. 

Sponsors said the Illinois State Police will work with the State Board of Education and Illinois Emergency Management Agency to develop rules for the panic alert system.

"This law is named for Alyssa Alhadeff, a young student who was killed in a school shooting," said Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine). "Her parents asked a basic question afterward: 'Why wasn't there a faster way to alert first responders?' States across the country responded with Alyssa's law, and today, Illinois joins the movement."

The law gained unanimous support in both chambers. House Bill 5107 will take effect Jan. 1. 

"As a dad, school safety isn't abstract to me, it's personal," said Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort). "Schools should have reliable, straightforward tools that help protect our kids and give staff a direct line to law enforcement and emergency services." 

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