Illinois private schools must now run shooting drills

ROCKFORD - Private schools in Illinois will now have to conduct annual drills to prepare for potential school shootings and review their security preparations.

Legislation signed into law Saturday brings the state's 1,800 private schools in line with requirements already in place for public schools.

The law is one of the three pieces of legislation that Gov. Pat Quinn signed Saturday during a visit to a middle school in Rockford. The other two also deal with school safety.

One allows a state grant program for security improvements to continue.

The other allows public school districts to share their emergency plans with first responders through devices such as smart phones. That legislation takes effect Jan. 1.

The others going into effect immediately.