105 ILCS 128/65

(105 ILCS 128/65)

Sec. 65. Hazardous substance release guidance and procedures.

(a) By January 1, 2027, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, in consultation with the State Board of Education, shall develop and provide guidance for all local emergency planning committees, emergency services and disaster agencies, and school districts in the State specifically related to the potential impact to school districts of a release or explosion of a hazardous substance. This guidance shall be posted on the Internet website of the State Board of Education.

(b) The guidance developed under subsection (a) shall include:

(1) a description of the methods and procedures to be followed by school personnel in response to a release or explosion of a hazardous substance;

(2) a description of the federal, State, or local agencies, including first responders, responsible for identifying whether the release or explosion of a hazardous substance has occurred and how that information will be communicated to school personnel, including any appropriate precautions school districts should take to protect their students and staff and how the wind direction may impact their evacuation plans;

(3) recommendations for school evacuation plans, including recommendations for an alternative plan if advised by federal, State, or local agencies, including first responders, that one is needed due to the wind direction;

(4) a list of available training programs;

(5) a description of recommended communication protocols for school districts with first responders, local law enforcement agencies, and other local, State, or federal emergency management agencies; and

(6) a list of instructions for school districts on how to identify their applicable local emergency planning committee or emergency services and disaster agency.

(c) By July 1, 2027, each school district shall, in consultation with the applicable local emergency planning committee or emergency services and disaster agency, develop procedures for each of its schools to address the release or explosion of a hazardous substance based on the guidance developed under subsection (a). However, a school district is not required to develop procedures until the school year following when the publication of the guidance provided in subsection (a) is made available on the website of the State Board of Education.

(d) Each school district shall make available to all school personnel relevant and appropriate information related to the procedures in subsection (c), including identified evacuation plans, as well as alternative evacuation plans, safe locations where student and staff can seek shelter, and a description of how that information will be communicated to school personnel in such an emergency.

(Source: P.A. 104-344, eff. 1-1-26.)