Members of La Coalition Rail Safety Campaign continue to support HB 1542/SB 3496 Hazardous Substances-Schools, introduced by Illinois Senators Laura Murphy and Julie Morrison.

The measures would require emergency response planning officials to partner with school districts to provide information on safety threats related to the transport and storage of hazardous substances to families as well as faculty and staff of schools in areas of potential risk. 

The measures have met with some challenges. As of this posting, the Senate version had not made it out of the assignments committee. The House version had to work its way through the rules committee.

The spring legislative session is scheduled to end April 8, so this is the time to fight to make sure protections are in place for our youngest of stakeholders—our kids! Let's not wait for another rail disaster before we realize how important this legislation is. 

How you can help:

• Call your state legislators today. Demand they ensure student safety by passing HB 1542/SB 3496 before it’s one incident too late!