HR0203 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0203 LRB101 11276 ALS 56633 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Our nation's future and well-being rely on a high-quality public education system that prepares all students for college, careers, citizenship, and lifelong learning; and

WHEREAS, Youth safety is of the utmost importance in schools and communities; and

WHEREAS, The academic success of students is affected by events that occur within and outside of school; and

WHEREAS, There is a growing concern regarding youth violence and safety within our schools and communities, including a most urgent and very present concern regarding gun violence in the south suburban area, with all three school districts in the south suburban area being affected by recent gun violence and gang behavior; and

WHEREAS, Schools serve as portals for opportunities to learn life skills, appropriate behavior, and how to make positive choices; and

WHEREAS, Educational personnel are often the primary sources of support, resources, and information that help students and families, including assistance with mental, emotional, and physical health; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the creation of a South Suburban Youth Coalition and Violence Prevention Task Force in collaboration with stakeholders from the represented communities as a concrete means of helping to address the growing concern of youth violence affecting the south suburban communities and schools connected with Bloom Township High School District 206, Crete-Monee Community Unit School District 201U, and Rich Township High School District 227; the school districts served by this coalition shall include Bloom Township High School District 206, Brookwood School District 167, Community Consolidated Schools District 168, Ford Heights School District 169, Chicago Heights School District 170, Steger School District 194, Cree-Monee Community Unit School District 201U, Rich Township High School District 227, Elementary School District 159, Country Club Hills School District 160, Matteson School District 162, and Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163; and be it further

RESOLVED, That each district is strongly urged to provide education on the adverse and detrimental effects of student violence in our schools and communities by using existing resources and staff, including teachers, deans, social workers, and psychologists; and be it further

RESOLVED, That each district is strongly urged to create a proactive school district policy that addresses the growing issue of youth violence and focuses on problem-solving skills and conflict and dispute resolution skills for students in grades Pre-K through 12 and implements programs and strategies that encourage character building and are in alignment with the Illinois State Social and Emotional Learning Standards; the policy should provide for the professional development of teachers, administrators, support staff, board members, and parents concerning student violence within school, youth violence in the community, conflict and dispute resolution, and de-escalation tactics; and be it further

RESOLVED, That each district is urged to create proactive solutions to student violence within schools, including the use of peer mediation, school counseling, incident reporting, and school assemblies that address student-to-student violence, gun violence, and overall school safety; and be it further

RESOLVED, That each district is urged to partner with the South Suburban Youth Coalition and Violence Prevention Task Force and applicable stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, municipal leaders, and youth organizations, to develop solutions to eliminate youth violence in schools and communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That each district is urged to post this resolution on every school site, distribute it to district staff, students, and parents, and have it read and voted upon at the most immediately available school board meeting and be translated into all languages currently spoken by students and parents within the south suburban area; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the superintendent of Bloom Township High School District 206, the superintendent of Crete-Monee Community Unit School District 201U, the superintendent of Rich Township High School District 227, the superintendent of Brookwood School District 167, the superintendent of Community Consolidated Schools District 168, the superintendent of Ford Heights School District 169, the superintendent of Chicago Heights School District 170, the superintendent of Steger School District 194, the superintendent of Elementary School District 159, the superintendent of County Club Hills School District 160, the superintendent of Matteson School District 162, and the superintendent of Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163.