chicago bus

New School Safety Funding Will Become Available to Illinois Districts In January

Legislators are not sure how much funding will be immediately available, but the law will prioritize under-resourced schools.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • December 10, 2019

On Jan. 1, school districts across Illinois will have the ability to submit grant requests for millions of available dollars in funding.

Last year, the state legislature approved new funding that can cover costs for a range of security measures, including upgrades for metal detectors, professional development and safety training for district officials and resources for school health centers, according to Northern Public Radio.

Jeff Keicher, a Republican state representative who supported the measure, said there are several different solutions that must be available for school districts.

“There's no one size fits all,” Keicher told the news outlet. “You have different communities that have different needs; you have different buildings that are different ages.”

He added that the new funding may loosen restrictions for districts trying to develop new, innovative solutions that do not necessarily follow state guidelines.

“It’s also a hope that through this granting mechanism, if we come up with a great innovative idea, maybe we can pull back some of the some of the requirements that don't make sense,” Keicher said.

Legislators are not sure how much funding will be immediately available, but the law does state that it will prioritize under-resourced schools across the state.

The law will go into effect as members of the Illinois Association of School Boards continue to internally debate the merits of arming staff members that are not school resource officers. Last month, the IASB voted to support a bill that would give more funding to districts seeking to hire officers. For the second year in a row, the association also voted against supporting a bill that would give districts permission to train and arm school teachers and staff.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Campus Parking Problems: Modern Security Solutions

    Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities. Read Now

  • The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses

    The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Read Now

  • Best Practices for A Holistic Approach to Video Solutions in Campus Security

    Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems. Read Now

  • Back to School Planning is a Year-Round Commitment

    With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars

Whitepapers