SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is advancing legislation aimed at improving emergency response in Illinois schools using mobile panic alert systems. The bill seeks to provide schools with modern tools to quickly alert first responders in the event of a crisis.
“As a dad, school safety isn’t abstract to me, it’s personal,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Schools should have reliable, straightforward tools that help protect our kids and give staff a direct line to law enforcement and emergency services.”
House Bill 5107 would require school districts and private schools to consider the use of a mobile panic alert system in the development of their school emergency and crisis response plans by the beginning of the 2028-2029 school year.
Mobile panic alert systems, sometimes known as Alyssa’s Alert, allow school staff to instantly communicate emergencies to first responders, enabling faster response times and better coordination across agencies. The legislation would also emphasize compatibility with 911 infrastructure to ensure alerts reach the proper emergency channels without delay.
Hastings noted that while the bill encourages adoption of these systems, it also prioritizes equitable access, ensuring schools of all sizes and resources can implement tools that enhance student safety.
“Alyssa’s Law is about ensuring that every classroom has a direct and immediate connection to first responders during an emergency. After losing my daughter Alyssa in the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, I made it my mission to close the communication gaps that cost precious time,” said Make Our Schools Safe CEO Lori Alhadeff. “Alyssa’s Law establishes a critical life-saving standard so that when seconds matter most, help is only the push of a button away. This legislation will save lives, and we are grateful to Senator Hastings for his leadership in moving this bill forward.”
House Bill 5107 passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday and heads to the full Senate for further consideration.
