IL Senate passes bill requiring railroad safety info in student handbooks

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State senators passed a bill Tuesday to include railroad safety information in student handbooks.

Sponsors say people have been concerned about schools near railroads and ensuring students know the protocols in place to keep them safe.

This plan will allow schools to opt out of the requirement if their school board finds railroad safety is covered in their curriculum.

"It's only about six paragraphs that would be added to the parent student handbook," said Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). "It certainly is something that's needed. It is not a curriculum mandate. It is just something that will be added to the student handbook."

House Bill 4743 passed out of the Senate on a 56-1 vote Tuesday. The measure previously received unanimous support in the House.

It now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk for final approval.