IllinoisIllinois schools must consider mobile panic alert systems
Starting in 2027, Illinois schools must consider mobile panic alerts for their emergency plans, though using a system is optional and brings connection costs.
What it does
By the start of the 2028–2029 school year, Illinois school districts and private schools must consider using a mobile panic alert system in their emergency plans. They do not have to use one.
The Illinois State Police must set rules for which mobile panic alert systems qualify as Alyssa’s Alert. The State Police and State Board of Education must post the rules online.
If a school deploys a system, it must connect to the local 9-1-1 center, send alerts through that center’s existing system, and test the setup at least yearly with first responders.
Argument forA school that uses a connected alert system could help 9-1-1 centers and first responders coordinate when an emergency occurs.
Argument againstSchools that choose to connect an alert system may face added costs because they must pay the local 9-1-1 center’s connection expenses.
More detail
School districts and private schools must consider using a mobile panic alert system in their emergency and crisis plans. This applies to school districts and private schools in Illinois. Using a system is optional. Schools must consider using a system by the beginning of the 2028–2029 school year.
The Illinois State Police must set rules for systems to qualify as Alyssa’s Alert and post the rules online. The rules concern mobile panic alert systems used by Illinois schools under this section. The rules may cover system reliability, connections with 9-1-1 centers and first responders, testing, training, and emergency mapping tools. The State Police must develop the rules by March 1, 2027.
A school that deploys a system must connect it to the local 9-1-1 center and test it at least once each year with that center and first responders. These requirements apply when an Illinois school district or private school deploys a mobile panic alert system under this section. Before buying and setting up a system, the school must coordinate with its local 9-1-1 authority. The school district or private school must pay the 9-1-1 center’s connection costs. Testing must happen at least annually.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 7Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0789Latest
- Aug 7Effective Date January 1, 2027
- Aug 7Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 26Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- Jun 1Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
- May 31Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen
- May 31Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton
- May 28Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
- Vote recorded Concurrence, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Lower
- May 28Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
- May 28Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Martha Deuter
- May 28Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford
- May 28Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
- May 28Removed Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
- May 28Passed Both Houses
- May 28House Concurs
- May 28Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs 113-000-000
- May 27Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools; 009-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Lower
- May 25Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Rules Referred to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools
- May 22Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee
- May 22Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Nabeela Syed
- May 21Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 21Arrived in HouseMinor
- May 21Third Reading - Passed; 059-000-000Passed Senate
- May 19Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading **
- May 14Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026
- May 14Second ReadingMinor
- May 13Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 14, 2026Minor
- May 13Do Pass as Amended Education; 014-000-000
- May 12Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 AdoptedMajor
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- May 8Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 15, 2026
- May 6Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Education
- May 5Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- May 5Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Michael E. HastingsMinor
- May 5Assigned to EducationMinor
- Apr 27Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Michael E. Hastings
- Apr 21Referred to Assignments
- Apr 21First ReadingMinor
- Apr 21Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam
- Apr 21Placed on Calendar Order of First ReadingMinor
- Apr 21Arrive in SenateMinor
- Apr 16Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 108-000-000Passed House
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 16Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- Apr 16House Floor Amendment No. 2 AdoptedMajor
- Apr 16House Floor Amendment No. 1 AdoptedMajor
- Apr 15House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools; 007-000-000Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 15House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee; 005-000-000Minor
- Apr 15House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
- Apr 15House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Nabeela SyedMinor
- Apr 14House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools
- Apr 13House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
- Apr 13House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Nabeela SyedMinor
- Apr 10Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Apr 10Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Apr 8Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Janet Yang Rohr
- Apr 6Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
- Mar 26Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Mar 25Do Pass / Short Debate Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools; 006-003-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 24Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Sue Scherer
- Mar 18Assigned to Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter SchoolsMinor
- Feb 10Referred to Rules Committee
- Feb 10First ReadingMinor
- Feb 5Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Nabeela SyedIntroduced
EducationPublic Safety