Schools Need More Mental Health Staff, Not Armed Cops: IL Rep

SPRINGFIELD, IL — A piece of legislation that would provide funding for mental health staff — whether it's social workers or school psychologists — as opposed to more armed police officers in Illinois schools was approved Friday by the Illinois House. Introduced by state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Westchester, the measure originally would have provided funding for mental health professionals only if schools stopped funding police officers on campus.

Welch removed that provision, leading to a 64-25 vote on Friday, although the plan still stipulates that funding cannot be used to increase school-based law enforcement and security staff. The legislation reads, in part:

To receive a grant under this program, school districts must develop plans for implementing evidence-based and promising practices that are aligned with this goal, including, but not limited to, hiring restorative justice practitioners, school psychologists, social workers, and other mental and behavioral health specialists, providing drug and alcohol treatment services and wraparound services for youth, training for school staff on alternatives to law enforcement involvement for school-based offenses that include restorative justice approaches, conflict resolution techniques, and expanded use of school support personnel and community-based services, trauma-informed approaches to meeting students' developmental needs, and addressing the effects of toxic stress.

The legislation will now head to the Senate for a vote.

Related: Armed Teachers: IL District Wants To Be 1st To Give Teachers Guns

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