SCH SAFETY-PANIC ALERT SYSTEM

104th Regular Session Introduced by Dee Avelar and 11 co-sponsors

Illinois State Police must develop rules for a statewide mobile panic alert system for schools by March 1, 2027.

Sent to the Governor

Illinois HB 5107 (104th Session) — SCH SAFETY-PANIC ALERT SYSTEM

Purpose and intent

The bill focuses on school safety by establishing or advancing a panic alert capability within schools, with the aim of enabling rapid notification and response during emergencies.

The amendment text specifies a concrete deadline for state action: by March 1, 2027, the Illinois State Police (ISP) is required to develop rules for a mobile panic alert system.

Key provisions and changes (based on amendment and bill text)

New requirement: By March 1, 2027, the Illinois State Police shall develop rules for a mobile panic alert system.

This sets a statewide rulemaking timeline, indicating the system would be governed by ISP rules rather than ad hoc local implementations alone.

The bill as amended appears to place emphasis on a panic alert system that could be used mobile-ly (likely connected to smartphones or mobile devices) to alert school staff, students, and responders during emergencies.

The amendment replaces lines to formalize the ISP-rulemaking duty and deadline, clarifying that the system is to be regulated via ISP rules.

Who/what is affected

Primary agencies: Illinois State Police (ISP) would be responsible for developing the rules governing the mobile panic alert system.

School entities: While not enumerated in the amendment text, schools, school districts, and possibly administrators and safety personnel would be subject to the rules once ISP establishes them.

General public stakeholders: Students, staff, and families could be indirectly affected through improved safety communications during emergencies.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and sponsorship: The bill has multiple sponsors and co-sponsors, including Rep. Nabeela Syed (primary sponsor) and several co-sponsors.

Amendment timeline:

Senate amendments were filed and assigned in May 2026.
The key amendment (Amendment No. _____) replaces lines 7-10 on page 2 to insert the deadline and ISP responsibility.

Rulemaking deadline: By March 1, 2027, ISP must develop rules for a mobile panic alert system.

Legislative progress: The bill moved through various committees (Education-related) and underwent floor amendments in the House before moving to the Senate, with amendments filed and referrals noted in April–May 2026.

Practical impact and considerations

Standardization: The bill aims to standardize how mobile panic alerts are implemented and governed across Illinois, potentially reducing fragmentation and ensuring consistent safety protocols in schools.

Privacy and security: Any mobile panic alert system would raise considerations about data privacy, consent, and secure delivery of alerts to authorized personnel and devices.

Technology integration: The system would need to integrate with existing school communications, emergency response protocols, and possibly 911 or public safety communications.

Funding and implementation: While not specified in the provided text, successful implementation would likely require funding for technology, training, and ongoing maintenance once ISP rules are in place.

Summary

HB 5107 seeks to bolster school safety by establishing a statewide mobile panic alert system governed by Illinois State Police rules, with a concrete rulemaking deadline of March 1, 2027. The bill assigns ISP the responsibility to develop the regulatory framework for the system, outlining a path toward standardized, rapid emergency communications for schools and related stakeholders.