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Bill

SB 2788

SCH CD-RESOURCE OFFICER GRANT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Chesney and 2 co-sponsors

Illinois bill creates grant program funding school resource officers (police/security) in K-12 schools to enhance campus safety through law enforcement presence.

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Bill Summary · SB 2788

Legislative bill overview

SB 2788 establishes a grant program to fund school resource officers (SROs) in Illinois schools. The bill allocates state resources to help school districts hire and maintain police or security personnel stationed on school campuses. This represents a state-level investment in the school safety model that places law enforcement directly in educational settings.

Why is this important

School resource officers affect the daily experience of thousands of Illinois students and influence how schools respond to discipline and safety issues. The funding mechanism determines whether resource-strapped districts can afford SROs, potentially creating disparities in which communities have armed officers in schools. This directly impacts student outcomes, school climate, and how youth—particularly students of color—interact with law enforcement.

Potential points of contention

  • Effectiveness and purpose: Debate over whether SROs improve school safety or primarily increase arrests of students for non-violent behavioral issues
  • Equity and disparities: Concerns that grant funding may not reach highest-need districts equitably, or conversely, that it expands policing in low-income communities disproportionately
  • School discipline pipeline: Questions about whether SROs criminalize student behavior that should be handled through educational/mental health interventions rather than law enforcement
  • Grant program specifics: The bill's actual funding level, eligibility requirements, and accountability measures are not detailed in available information

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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