Loughran Cappel measure strengthens emergency response actions in schools

SPRINGFIELD - To ensure all educators, including substitute teachers, know what to do in case of an emergency at school, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel passed a bill out of committee that requires them to be trained in evacuation and lockdown procedures.

"Parents send their children to school expecting their teacher to know what to do if there's an emergency," said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). "Ensuring every teacher, substitute or full-time, is trained for emergency response situations is the logical thing to do."

House Bill 1787 would require school districts in Illinois to provide training to all substitute teachers on school evacuation drills and law enforcement lockdown drills. Additionally, all substitutes would be given the same information as full-time employees that outlines all lockdown and evacuation procedures, and maps would be required to be displayed in every classroom showing all school exit points.

"Imagine if the one time an emergency did occur and there happened to be a new sub that day with no idea what to do," said Loughran Cappel. "It's in everyone's best interest for substitutes teachers to go through a bit of emergency training - easing the minds of both parents and subs."

House Bill 1787 passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.