Illinois Act Calls For Metal Detectors In Every School and Sporting Event
New legislation has been introduced in Springfield during the Fall veto session that just began, aimed at keeping Illinois students safe.
The "Safe Spaces in Public Places Act" proposes putting metal detectors in every school and sporting event in Illinois. State Representative LaShawn Ford, a former Chicago school teacher, introduced this plan as a way to prevent school shootings.
According to mystateline.com, metal detectors cost between $3000 - $5000 and the State would only need to pay for half the cost. The rest would come from a new federal grant earmarked for school security.
Lastly, and this is the part that appeals to me as a parent who sees how the fear of a school shooting affects my daughter and some of her classmates. Child psychologist, Dr. James Mackenzie, says his act will help bring many young people some peace of mind, saying,
Hearing about them (school shootings), continuously being worried about them, continuously affects their learning, similar to not getting enough nutrition or sleep. So, it's a serious problem. And this is a concrete step to protecting children in the state of Illinois.