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In the ongoing effort to support our local, county, and state partners, IEMA will provide information and specifics to coordinate current information:
 

  • Presidential Disaster Declaration for Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago Counties in Illinois for severe weather in July 2024
  • Presidential Disaster Declaration for St. Clair County in Illinois for flooding for 2022
  • Presidential Disaster Declaration for Cook County in Illinois for severe weather in June/July 2023
  • The State of Illinois Disaster Proclamation for the Asylum Seekers in Illinois

Schools/Campus - Resources

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ITTF School Safety Working Group

Legislation

​Preparedness and Planning

Cyber Bullying

  • Illinois Attorney General - Stop Cyberbullying
    Provides a variety of resources for kids, teenagers, parents, and educators seeking information and advice about cyberbullying. Also provides information on contacting an Internet Safety Specialist via phone or email if you believe you or someone you know is being bullied online.
  • Cyberbullying Research Center
    Contains up-to-date information for teachers, parents and kids about the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents.
  • Common Sense Media
    Offers trustworthy information and education about media and technology for educators and parents.
  • NetSmartz411
    Great resource for parents with questions about internet safety, computers, and the web.

Mental Health Resources

Illinois School and Campus Safety Resource Center

  • http://ilschoolsafety.org​
    This website provides extensive resources for K-12 and higher education on topics ranging from interpersonal violence and bullying to preparedness and legislation.

Campus Security Task Force

Following the tragic events at Virginia Tech, the State of Illinois established the Campus Security Task Force. This multi-disciplinary task force, comprised of Illinois' top leaders in education, mental health, public safety and law enforcement, has been charged with crafting better, more effective campus security policies. They have also been charged with providing guidance directly to higher education campuses in order to improve mental health support on campus. Below are links to the Task Force's report to the Governor on April 15, 2008.

Violence Prevention Resources

Identifying Safety Hazards, Threats, Vulnerabilities and Risks

Following are resources that can help schools and campuses become proactive in identifying safety hazards, threats, vulnerabilities, risks, strengths and weakness specific to your school or campus. Safety concerns can be identified by using these guides and future strategies modified to improve safety.

  • Educational Facilities Vulnerability/Hazard Assessment Checklist
    This checklist is a collaborative effort of the Texas School Safety Center and the American Clearinghouse on Educational Facilities. It includes a compilation of various resources and provides an overview of educational facility vulnerabilities and hazards that should be identified and addressed in the prevention/mitigation phase of a school’s emergency management process.
  • K-12 School Security Practices Guide
    U.S. Department Homeland Security, (April 2013) This guide provides security practices for communities to consider to deter threats, address hazards and risks, and minimize damage from school incidents, including mass casualty events. The K-12 School Security Checklist is a companion to the guide to help schools assess their current security practices and enable improvement.

Creating an MOU with Law Enforcement

, effective Sept. 15, 2016, includes language encouraging school districts to create memoranda of understanding with local law enforcement agencies to clearly define law enforcement’s role in schools. Below are a few resources to help in the process.

​Other States’ Task Forces on School Safety/Security

Ensuring the Safety of Students Traveling Abroad

Following are resources to assist schools and campuses in ensuring the safety of students studying abroad and students and staff who are traveling overseas.

  • U.S. Department of State – numerous resources about preparing for a trip abroad:
    • Travel Tips/Scams
    • Current Travel Warnings
    • Students Abroad
    • Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
      free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Enrollees receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in their destination country. STEP also helps the U.S. Embassy contact travelers in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency, and helps family and friends get in touch in an emergency.
  • Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) – The U.S. Department of State suggests schools register with this Council if they have foreign travelers or students abroad. OSAC was created in 1985 to promote security cooperation between American private sector interests worldwide and the U.S. Department of State.

​Human Trafficking in America’s Schools

The U.S. Department of Education released a guide for educators in January 2015 on ways to identify and help prevent child trafficking in schools. Or download the guide in PDF.

​National Incident Management System (NIMS)

Additional Resources

Webinars and Presentations