Bill inspired by Elgin school stabbing goes back to House
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Senate Friday approved legislation inspired by an Elgin case in which a teacher was stabbed, sending to the House a plan that would try to prevent school violence.
In 2008, student Angel Facio stabbed his teacher, Carolyn Gilbert, in an attack in her classroom — an act some think could have been prevented had school officials known about Facio’s two previous alleged assaults on others outside of school.
The legislation approved by a 52-2 vote would allow police to share information with certain school officials if they believe a student has been violent outside of school and could be an immediate threat to others.
Under the plan, school officials would have to keep the shared information out of written records for privacy reasons and could refer the student to services to get help.
The plan now moves to the House, where a different version has already been approved. It could be debated in the coming days.
State Sen. John Millner, a Carol Stream Republican who sponsored the plan, said his intent is to help protect students and others while keeping the best interest of the student in mind — even if it involves consequences.
“What we’re trying to do is prevent this child from doing further damage to others or him or herself,” he said.
Millner said on the Senate floor that the legislation was inspired by a Daily Herald investigation that found that police and school already had some agreements to share information about potentially violent students, but weren’t always doing so.