SB2135 expands who may serve as a school resource officer in Illinois schools. Under current law, school resource officers are law enforcement officers assigned to a school or district through an agreement with a local law enforcement agency. This bill would allow the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to offer the school resource officer training course to a qualified retired law enforcement officer and issue the same certificate or waiver available to other officers. Beginning January 1, 2026, a school or school district could directly employ such a retired officer to perform school resource officer duties if the officer completes the required training or receives an approved waiver.
The bill also states that a school resource officer may carry a firearm while performing duties at a school or school district, notwithstanding any other law. It is effective immediately, though the new school district employment authority would begin in 2026. In practical terms, the measure broadens the pool of eligible school security personnel and formalizes the training/waiver process for retired officers under the Illinois Police Training Act and the School Code.
Impact
SB2135 amends two statutes: Section 10.22 of the Illinois Police Training Act and Section 10-20.68 of the School Code. It authorizes the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to train or waive training for qualified retired law enforcement officers seeking school resource officer roles, and it permits schools and school districts to hire those retired officers beginning January 1, 2026. The bill also expressly authorizes school resource officers to carry firearms while on duty at schools, overriding any conflicting law.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented debate history to measure support or opposition. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears oriented toward school safety and staffing flexibility, suggesting likely support from proponents of increased armed security in schools. At the same time, the firearm provision and expansion of armed personnel in schools could draw concern from those wary of increasing weapons on campus or of relying on retired officers rather than active law enforcement.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the bill’s authorization for school resource officers to carry firearms at school and the decision to allow retired law enforcement officers to fill these roles. Supporters may view retired officers as experienced, readily available candidates who can help schools address safety concerns. Opponents may question whether retired officers should be placed in school security roles, whether the training waiver process is sufficiently rigorous, and whether expanding armed presence in schools is the best approach to student safety.