The misuse of school funds earmarked for Health and Life Safety is setting the way for a tragedy. To this day we have schools without adequate fire alarm systems, no fire sprinklers and open stair-wells that would permit smoke and toxic gases extend to every floor and make exit untenable.
Adding to this tragedy is the fact that public schools in Illinois are not subject to local building and fire codes. The building inspector and fire chief have no authority in the inspection of new and existing schools. That is handled ineptly at the state level. Even when new schools are built, the designers and local school board fight at every requirement and recommendation for fire safety.
The day for a major Illinois school fire is coming. When that day comes, funds for health and life safety will have been spent for tennis courts, swimming pools and executive lounges.
And the taxpayers will again be asked to finance further feeble efforts to make our schools safe from fire by short-sighted politicians.
