SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Although the school year is ending, safety around school buses is the focus of a proposal heading to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk. The Illinois Senate unanimously passed a bill on Wednesday to increase fines for people driving around school buses using the extended stop arm.
Drivers stopped by police for ignoring the safety arms are currently fined a minimum of $300 and have their driver's license suspended for six months. Illinois school districts can also choose to install stop arm safety technology, but the fine for drivers is capped at $150.
This plan would create a uniform $300 fine for the first offense and $1,000 for a second or subsequent violation.
"It's not a mandate," said Sen. Mike Porfirio (D-Burbank). "Instead, it empowers local law enforcement with options and greater local control so they can choose what's best for their community to curb dangerous driving behavior."
Advocates said communities consistently see that roughly nine out of 10 motorists who receive one ticket for passing a bus with the stop arm out never receive a second.
House Bill 3175 previously passed unanimously out of the House.
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