Crespo Introduces Legislation to Promote Safe Schools

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to school violence, state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, is working to require schools districts to establish a team and protocol as part of a violence-prevention strategy.

“Keeping schools safe and free of violence is critical to ensuring an open learning environment for students,” Crespo said. “This bill brings together parents, teachers, and school professionals to make sure school districts are using a consistent, defined evaluation process to assess threats and prevent school violence.”

Crespo has introduced House Bill 1561, which requires each school district to bring together stakeholders including parents, students, teachers, counselors, and emergency response professionals to create a threat assessment team and develop a threat assessment protocol as part of a violence prevention strategy. Once the protocol is adopted, school districts are required to make the assessment protocol public. School districts are also authorized to share information regarding threats with other school districts if a threat poses a clear and present danger as defined in state law.

“Representative Crespo understands that a safe school equals a safe community and vice versa,” Kathi Griffin, president of the Illinois Education Association said. “The IEA is looking forward to working with Representative Crespo on his continued efforts to help keep the children of Illinois safe from gun violence.”

Crespo represents the 44th District, which includes portions of Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Bartlett and Elgin.