HB4208 establishes the School Safety and Healthy Learning Environment Grant Program which requires schools with high discipline rates to submit plans to reduce school suspensions/expulsions and provides grants (subject to appropriation) for school districts to implement restorative interventions. Governor Rauner amendatorily vetoed a provision within the legislation prohibiting schools from using grant funds to “increase the use of school based law enforcement or security personnel.” The Governor reasoned that local school districts are better positioned to decide how to ensure school safety. This revision, however, undermines the purpose of the proposal – providing schools with resources to invest in restorative alternatives to law enforcement. The intent of HB4208 was not to demean the role of law enforcement in maintaining community safety, but simply to incentivize schools to explore other means of creating healthier school environments. Override!