Kane County Reporter

A Democratic state representative from West Chicago wants students and guardians to receive advance notice about scheduled lockdowns that may be potentially traumatic. 

The legislation sponsored by Rep. Maura Hirschauer (D-West Chicago) and other Democrats, known as the School Safety Drill Act, requires five days advance notice for scheduled police drills. 

"HB2400 is for all the schoolchildren who must participate in lockdown drills," Hirschauer said in a March Twitter post. "It will keep students and personnel at the heart of the drill, using trauma-informed approaches while allowing law enforcement access to practice drills to prepare for situations we hope never occur.

The bill is meant to create more transparency about the drills. The legislation also states that the public safety drills cannot "mimic an actual school shooting incident or active shooter" situation. Another part of the bill mandates that such drills must be age-appropriate and involved school mental and health professionals. 

The drills also "must include trauma-informed approaches to address the concerns and well-being of students and school personnel," according to the proposal. "[And] requires a school district to include in its annual review of each school building's emergency and crisis response plans, protocols, and procedures an examination of the efficacy and effects of law enforcement drills. Effective immediately."

The release reveals that parents and guardians would be told at least 5 days prior to any drill. Additionally, the drills cannot simulate a live shooting situation, which may traumatize the students.

Moreover, administrators must announce to all the school faculty members and students before the initiation of the drills.