Illinois House Passes Bailey Bill to Raise Fines for Passing Stopped School Buses

The Illinois House has passed legislation sponsored by State Representative Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) in an attempt to improve the safety of school children by preventing school bus stop arm violations.

Bailey said, "When it comes to buses, school zones and safety, some of the biggest concerns happen when cars and buses aren't even moving. Kids run the greatest risk of being hurt when they're standing at the bus stop, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. In fact, most children between the ages of 5 to 7 are injured or killed while they're getting on and off the bus, and they enter an area the board of education has ominously labeled the "Death Zone."

Signs warning drivers of school bus stops up are found along multiple rural roads in southern Illinois. Besides the yellow signs, parents and law enforcement are asking you to pay attention for buses. However, late last year a one-day survey of bus drivers nationally found nearly 84,000 incidents of motorists ignoring the warnings."

HB1873 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code, doubles the fines for violations of the Section regarding approaching, overtaking, and passing school buses, and provides that a first violation of the Section or a local ordinance shall be subject to a mandatory fine of $300 (instead of $150) and a second or subsequent violation shall be subject to a mandatory fine of $1,000 (instead of $500).

The bill was approved in committee Wednesday morning and by the full House on Thursday.