SCHOOL SAFETY IS A MAJOR FOCUS AT THE ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY’S TRAINING SUMMIT IN SPRINGFIELD…AND STATE OFFICIALS ARE PROVIDING AN UPDATE ON WHAT’S BEING DONE TO TARGET THE PROBLEM.

AFTER LAST YEAR’S PARKLAND SCHOOL SHOOTING, AN ILLINOIS SCHOOL SAFETY WORKING GROUP WAS FORMED AND CAME OUT WITH 13 INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS. GROUP LEADER MIKE CHAMNESS SAYS HE’S PLEASED TO REPORT MANY OF THE IDEAS ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED…INCLUDING HANDING OUT “STOP THE BLEED” KITS.

CHAMNESS SAYS SEVERAL OF THOSE IDEAS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED, SUCH A LAW REQUIRING SCHOOLS TO HOLD ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS.

ADDITIONALLY, A NEW ONLINE PROGRAM CALLED "SAFE 2 TELL ILLINOIS" WILL KICK OFF IN JANUARY, GIVING STUDENTS A WAY TO REPORT CLASSMATES THREATENING TO HURT THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.