Gill Advances School Resource Officer Choice Bill Out of House Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local School Councils would have the option of keeping school resource officers under a proposal advanced out of a House committee Thursday by state Rep. Mary Gill, D-Chicago.

“This measure is about giving Chicago Public Schools parents and school communities a voice,” Gill said. “Local School Councils are reasonably concerned about safety, and they should be empowered to decide whether or not they want to maintain the presence of school resource officers. This proposal would secure their right.”

Gill’s House Bill 5008 passed out of the House Police & Fire Committee Thursday morning without opposition. Under the measure, Local School Councils would have the right to decide for their schools whether to contract with the Chicago Police Department to have officers or school resource officers on school grounds. It would not prohibit Local School Councils from deciding not to utilize school resource officers.

House Bill 5008 would preempt proposed action from the Chicago Board of Education to broadly eliminate school resource officers districtwide.

“With violent crime affecting so many in Chicago, it’s critical that we take a comprehensive approach to school safety,” Gill said. “School resource officers can be an effective tool in that strategy, and I’ve heard from many about the important mentorship role they also play for students. Moving forward, let’s make sure that the leaders closest to our schools are properly represented in this important decision-making process.”

For more information, please contact RepMaryGill@gmail.com.