© 2024 NPR Illinois
The Capital's Community & News Service
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Illinois School Construction Will Require Storm Shelters

flickr/Frank Juarez

Illinois now requires new school construction to include storm shelters.

You can't predict when or where a tornado will strike, but supporters of the new law say schools should be more prepared. 

The law orders districts that take on new construction or remodeling to include a safe place for students to go in the event of a severe storm.  Not everyone agreed with the change.  

Several lawmakers voted against it, calling it an unfunded mandate. They added, nothing would stop a district from adding a shelter if it had the money.

A sponsor of the measure says shelters don't need to be elaborate and says reinforced classrooms could serve the purpose.

The push to add shelters gained more support after recent tornadoes that caused damage in central and southern Illinois. 

Related Stories