Illinois lawmakers have approved a plan that would let schools, churches, and workplaces take out restraining orders against someone considered dangerous.
Under current Illinois law, only an individual can take out a restraining order against another person. But after recent shootings at schools and churches, state lawmakers have been pushing for legislation to protect those places from future attacks.
State Representative Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) says letting an institution take out a restraining order could stop a shooting before it happens.
“We’re original in our thinking," Wheeler explained. "It was right after the Parkland situation where everybody seemed to drop the ball, quite honestly, and I thought to myself, ‘Why didn’t the school get an order of protection?’”
If Governor Bruce Rauner signs the legislation, those orders of protection would last up to two years -- and in some cases would allow a judge to take away the person’s guns.
