Call it a sign of the times. More than a decade after the tragic Columbine High School shootings in Colorado and a spate of similar shootings since, Illinois law now takes threats of destruction or violence against schools more seriously than ever.
House Bill 1105, which took effect on Jan. 1 of this year, changes school threats from a misdemeanor to a class 4 felony (CBS Chicago).
Those convicted of such a threat, which would be charged as felony obstruction of justice, could be sentenced to between one and three years in prison, the article states. However, Assistant State's Attorney Christine Downs tells reporters, prosecutors still have the leeway to charge suspects with a misdemeanor, depending on the severity:
"Sometimes [student threats] warrant a higher penalty," said Downs, who runs the state's attorney's legislative committee. "There's opportunity for a higher class offense if it's warranted."
Most threats are never carried out, but the unfortunate fact that school shootings have become quite a regular occurance across the country means they can never be taken lightly. It remains to be seen if the new amendment actually deters threats, though.
In one of the most widely publicized Illinois school shootings, a Northern Illinois University student who stopped taking his medication "and had become erratic," according to police, shot and killed five fellow students nearly two years ago (USA Today).
- School Violence Tipline: Fact Sheet for Parents and Teachers (Illinois Attorney General)
- Meatier school safety law lauded (Rockford Register Star)
- Need a Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney? (FindLaw)
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