Davis Renews Call for School Resource Officer Funding

YORKVILLE - State Representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville) is renewing his call to fully fund School Resource Officers (SROs) in schools across the state of Illinois. Earlier this year, Rep. Davis filed House Bill 1346, which would establish the School Resource Officer Grant Program - ensuring every school has the resources to protect their students.

"It's long past time for us to start investing in safer schools for our children," said Davis. "House Bill 1346 provides every school with the resources they need to hire trained law enforcement professionals who will keep our students, teachers, and faculty safe while at school."

Key Provisions of House Bill 1346:

• Creates the School Resource Officer Grant Program managed by the State Board of Education.
• Ensures districts and schools hiring SROs will be eligible for reimbursements of salaries and related costs through this program.
• Requires active or retired law enforcement officers serving as SROs to meet the certification requirements of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board.

Davis continued, "Parents shouldn't have to worry about whether or not their child's school can afford necessary safety measures. Every child - regardless of district or zipcode - should be safe to learn and grow at school."

This bill was produced in collaboration with Kristina McCloy, head of Concerned Parents Illinois, whose advocacy was instrumental in shaping House Bill 1346.

"School safety is deeply personal to me," said McCloy. "No parent should ever worry if their child will survive the school day. Every student, in every zip code, deserves protection from gun violence.

"Politicians walk with armed security, and every government building is guarded, yet our kids sit defenseless. Their lives are not more valuable than our children's. It's time our priorities reflected that truth. That's why we need House Bill 1346, to put trained School Resource Officers in every school and give parents peace of mind. Protecting children isn't partisan. It's common sense. It's urgent!"

House Bill 1346 now awaits further action in the Illinois House of Representatives. Rep. Davis urges bipartisan support for this commonsense solution toward enhancing school safety.

This bill is one of multiple bills in Rep. Davis' Protecting Kids bill package.

For more information on this legislation or to express support, please contact Rep. Davis' office at (331) 867-8200.

For more information about Representative Davis, visit RepJedDavis.com.

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