Thread by @LtGovStratton

As a State Representative I passed a bill ending “School-based Booking Stations” in Illinois.

I know what you’re thinking: You mean police booking stations? In schools?

Yes. That’s what I mean.

A thread...

As a #restorativejustice advocate and peace circle keeper I’d go to schools to lead circles as an alternative to harsh disciplinary practices. Often I’d see a “Police Room”—often next to the library or a classroom. As if it were normal.

I’d ask students...what’s that room for?

“Well, that’s where you go if you get in trouble.”

Huh? Not the counselor. Not the social worker. Not even the Principal’s office.

“Get in trouble” and be sent to the police. The very thought is traumatic.

School-based booking stations were rooms that students could be processed for arrest on school grounds. This contributed to the school-to-prison pipeline.

So I linked up with some incredible organizers already working in this area to run a bill to put an end to this practice.

What’s interesting is that the data showed these school-based booking stations were only in Chicago schools.

I remember a colleague from the other side of the aisle asking: “What will we do with them if we don’t have these booking stations at schools?”

My response?

The same thing you do for students in schools in your district without school-based booking stations.

The bill passed unanimously in both the House and Senate and I remain grateful to my colleagues who recognized that children in schools were being over-policed.

We do not need police in schools.