Illinois House votes to let campus cops carry guns

SPRINGFIELD -- In an attempt to boost campus safety, the Illinois House voted Wednesday to let all university police officers carry guns while on duty.

Though state Rep. Linda Chapa-LaVia's plan was filed last fall, she said the topic gained new attention after the Northern Illinois University shootings in February.

"I have constituents that call universities and ask, 'Do you have a police force that's armed?'" said the Aurora Democrat, herself a former security guard.

Depending on the college or university, some officers are not allowed to carry firearms. Chapa-LaVia's legislation applies to sworn campus police, not security officers.

One local college is already debating the issue.

The College of Lake County is considering whether to convert its safety department into a police department, which would allow its officers to carry guns possibly as soon as October. Its 14 officers now use only pepper spray and batons.

The proposed state law would likely take effect Jan. 1.

The College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Harper College in Palatine and Elgin Community College already arm their officers.

The House approved the proposal 91-18. It now moves on to the Illinois Senate for consideration.

Cyberbullying

In other action, lawmakers' criticism initially derailed legislation that would make it a felony to "cyberbully" teens with intimidating, hurtful e-mails and other electronic communication.

During debate Wednesday, numerous lawmakers pointed out possible constitutional problems and other flaws with the proposal. For instance, the sponsor said it was intended to address e-mails that caused emotional distress and were intended to inflict physical harm. But the actual proposal said someone could face felony charges for causing emotional distress or intending to inflict physical harm.

Critics said juvenile taunting online could now be turned into a felony case.

Eventually, state Rep. Robert Flider, a Decatur-area Democrat, pulled his proposal out of debate and agreed to work on it further.

Online dating

The House did approve a proposal that would require online dating sites to disclose on their sites whether or not they check members against a national database of registered sex offenders.

Critics said even those databases should carry disclaimers regarding accuracy and worried people using online dating services could be lulled into a false sense of security.

But state Rep. Bob Molaro, a Chicago Democrat pushing the legislation, said the proposed disclosure was the least the services should be required to do.

"I'm appalled that they don't (check)," Molaro said. "I assume when they take my daughter's $40, they check."