Dupage Policy Journal

State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) said Illinois has enacted a law to add a layer of prevention against potential violence in schools.

"As lawmakers, we must do everything we can to ensure the safety of school children," Curran said in an e-newsletter from his office this week. "To provide an additional tool to school officials and law enforcement, legislation was recently signed into law that refines and improves a statewide hotline that can receive reports from the public regarding potential self-harm or criminal acts directed at schools, teachers, or students. Calls into the hotline would be confidential." 

The Illinois legislature enacted Senate Bill 3936, which requires the Illinois State Police (ISP) to collaborate with other state agencies in responding to individuals with mental health issues who have expressed thoughts about attacking others at school, the e-newsletter said. The legislation builds on Illinois' existing Safe2Help program, which provides a hotline for students to send in tips about concerning behavior.

Curran also highlighted several other new bills related to schools and students, such as Senate Bill 157, which reduces the sales tax on clothing and school supplies from 6.25% to 1.25% from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14. House Bill 4316 adds a layer of protection against teachers who have engaged in or been credibly accused of sexual misconduct by requiring superintendents to notify parents and the school board. The law also requires school boards to review the employment histories of new hires to verify that the teachers have not been previously fired for sexual misconduct.

Curran was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2017, the Senate website said. His legislative experience includes serving on the Appropriations II Committee and the Assignments Committee. He resides in Downers Grove.