SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KMOX) - School shootings across the country have taught us time is critical in those situations.
A new bill in Illinois would mandate public schools have a mobile panic alert system in place.
Alyssa's Law would require public schools in Illinois to implement a system that connects them to first responders in case of a shooting or other emergencies.
"It's a way for schools to keep connected to first responders, police, firefighters just in case there is a emergency," said Illinois Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (D- 41st district) who sponsoring the bill.
Rep. Rohr says each district can decide how it'll work.
"The bill is not overly prescriptive," said Rohr. "We wanted to make sure that throughout Illinois, lots of different schools have lots of different needs. So we're leaving it up to the schools and school districts."
Some schools, for example, have restricted cell phone use.
"In my own school district where my kids go to school, it is going to be a button that is attached to the teachers ID," said Rohr. "Sometimes those phones might not be accessible, which makes these systems even more important."
Rohr says her measure was prompted by constituents in her district.
"They want to make sure that their students that they are sending to our schools are safe," said Rohr. "We want to make sure that schools can get to fire and safety and first responders as quickly as possible."
Alyssa's Law is named after a victim of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Seven other states have passed similar measures.