State lawmakers unanimously passed legislation that would double fines for drivers who illegally pass school buses while students are getting on or off, a move aimed at preventing crashes that kill or injure children near bus stops.
House Bill 3175 increases penalties for the violation and allows school districts to deploy safety technology — such as cameras on buses or external speed cameras — to catch and document illegal passes. Counties and school boards can choose whether to participate.
“We cannot wait for accidents to happen to our students before we create safety precautions,” said State Sen. Mike Porfirio (D-Lyons Township), who cosponsored the bill in the Senate. “This bill is a balanced, student-first initiative that will support law enforcement with clear tools on enforcement, keeping drivers accountable and kids safe.”
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Penalties: First-time violations now cost $300, up from $150. A second or later violation costs $1,000, up from $500.
- Camera rule: If a school bus camera captures both a stop arm and electronic signal, the law presumes the bus was loading or unloading kids — unless the driver proves otherwise.
- Data reporting: Municipalities and counties using automated cameras on school buses must analyze whether the cameras improve safety every two years and publish the results.
There were 1,141 school bus crashes in Illinois in 2024, according to report by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Six persons killed that year included school bus drivers, school-aged passengers and other vehicle occupants.
The report stated that 19 persons suffered incapacitating, non-fatal injuries, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Al Cacciottolo, president of the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch, said stronger penalties are overdue.
“When it comes to safety, especially with children, the way some of these people are driving crazy everywhere, the more the fine, the better,” Cacciottolo said. “I’ve seen people blow around those school buses, just disregarding their little stop sign. Any fine isn’t enough.”
Cacciottolo suggested buses could use larger stop signs or park at angles to block illegal passes, but said the core issue is driver behavior.
“It’s just respect,” he said. “People need to look at themselves and say, ‘Hey, an extra 30 seconds isn’t going to break me.’ Everybody’s in such a hurry today. They need to take a chill pill because it’s terrible the way people are driving today.”
When asked what other penalties should accompany the fines, Cacciottolo was emphatic.
“Take their license away,” he said. “I’m all for it because there’s people out there today that drive so crazy, and especially when it comes to our most vulnerable, the school children.”
Alderman Marty Quinn (13th) said three speed cameras were installed in his ward over the last five years to assist with student safety.
“The first location would be Mariano Azuela [Elementary School] at Marquette Road and Kilbourne,” he said. “The installation was done in collaboration with then-principal Carmen Navarro because we had a couple of accidents involving students. Motorists were racing east and west to beat the train.”
A second similar incident at Pasteur Elementary school caused another camera to be installed there and a third occurrence on Pulaski Road near Hubbard High School also resulted in a speed camera being installed.
“It appears that this bill that was passed in Springfield falls in line with that motivation, he said. “The southwest side in particular is home to thousands of children and we have to continue to think of their safety in and around the schools.”
The legislation passed the Illinois House and Senate on May 20, 2026, and is expected to be signed by the governor.