City Updates School Resource Officer Agreement to Comply with New State Laws

City of Litchfield Meeting | January 22, 2026

Article Summary: The Litchfield City Council approved an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Litchfield School District to align with new state legislation. The agreement strictly limits the SRO’s involvement in standard school discipline issues, ensuring the officer focuses solely on criminal enforcement and safety.

School Resource Officer Agreement Key Points:

• Legislative Update: The agreement was amended specifically to comply with new Illinois laws defining what an SRO can and cannot do.

• No Disciplinary Role: The contract explicitly states the SRO cannot enforce school rules such as dress codes, tardiness, or minor classroom disruptions.

• Financial Terms: The School District will pay the City $258.30 per day for 88 days, totaling $22,730.40, with matching funding from a JusticeCorps Hiring Grant.

• Training Requirements: The officer must complete specialized training in restorative practices, implicit bias, and de-escalation techniques.

The Litchfield City Council on Thursday, January 22, 2026, approved a resolution updating the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Litchfield Police Department and Litchfield Community Unit School District #12.

The update was necessitated by “new legislation… that affects the duties an SRO is allowed to perform by law.”

The most significant change in the 2026 agreement is a strict separation between law enforcement duties and school administration. The contract explicitly prohibits the SRO from independently investigating or administering consequences for violations of the student handbook.

The document lists specific examples of issues the police officer shall not handle, including:

• Tardies and loitering.

• Inappropriate language or minor classroom disruptions.

• Dress code violations.

• Cell phone violations.

“District administration shall be solely responsible for implementing student discipline rules,” the agreement states. The SRO is directed to intervene only when criminal activity is involved or when there is an immediate threat to the safety of students or staff.

Costs and Qualifications
The agreement outlines the financial arrangement for the position. The School District will compensate the City at a rate of $258.30 per day for 88 days of service, totaling $22,730.40 for the specified term. This funding is supplemented by the Department of JusticeCorps Hiring Grant.

The qualifications for the SRO position are rigorous. The officer must have at least five years of experience as a full-time police officer and possess a strong aptitude for working with youth.

Additionally, the agreement mandates specific continuing education. The SRO is required to attend a minimum of eight hours of training per year on topics such as:

• The comprehensive school threat assessment process.

• Restorative justice practices.

• Implicit bias and disproportionate discipline based on race or disability.

• Teen dating violence and LGBTQ+ cultural competency.

The officer will also be equipped with a body-worn camera, which will be used in accordance with the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act. Recordings related to incidents in the school will be flagged and retained according to state law.