Illinois School Safety Conference Details and Streaming Information

Protecting students, school staff, and community members is always top of mind and the 2025 Illinois School Safety Conference, hosted by West40 and its partners, will bring together national experts, public safety officers, and educators to collaborate on real solutions to make learning environments safe for everyone.

Registration is now closed for the conference, which will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm at the White Eagle Events & Convention Center, located at 6839 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, IL 60714.

Still, the first several hours of the conference will be available to watch online at the following link: www.west40.org/live-stream.

This is the 20th annual Illinois School Safety Conference organized by Randy Braverman and Paul Timm. Hundreds of law enforcement officers, first responders, school administrators, IT and transportation directors, and vendors are expected to be present to discuss and learn about the latest in school safety and crisis prevention.

"Safety doesn't happen by accident. It takes awareness, preparation, and collaboration," Braverman said. "This conference is where that begins."

Featured speakes include First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (US Army-Retired), immortalized in the film "Black Hawk Down" and Commander Scott Byrd of the Metropolitan Police Department of Nashville and Davidson County. Commander Byrd will share lessons learned on preparation, training and response from The Covenant School shooting.

This year's conference is hosted by West40 ISC #2, Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois School and Campus Safety Program, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Niles Police Department, Kane County Regional Office of Education, Township High School District 211, Illinois School Resource Officers Association, Illinois State Police, Summit School District 104, Joliet Police Department, Illinois Association of School Business Officials, Northbrook/Glenview School District 30 and Skokie School District 68.