Illinois Administrative Code › Title 23 - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL RESOURCES › Part 1 - PUBLIC SCHOOLS EVALUATION, RECOGNITION AND SUPERVISION › Subpart E - SUPPORT SERVICES › Section 1.510 - Transportation

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
a) Section 29-3 of
				the School Code [105 ILCS
				5/29-3 ] requires the school boards of certain school
				districts to provide free transportation to pupils as delineated in that
				Section. These school districts may provide free transportation to other
				students in accordance with the remaining applicable provisions of Article 29
				of the School Code [105 ILCS 5 /Art. 29]. Districts that are not required to
				provide free transportation may do so at their option.
b) Each district seeking State reimbursement
				for pupil transportation shall comply with the provisions of Article 29 of the
				School Code and 23 Ill. Adm. Code 120 (Pupil Transportation Reimbursement). In
				order to qualify for reimbursement, school districts not required to provide
				transportation pursuant to a specific Section of Article 29 that elect to do so
				must afford the same service to all eligible pupils. For example, if a district
				is not required to transport students under Section 29-3 of the School Code
				[105 ILCS 5/29-3] but elects to transport some students residing more than 11/2
				miles from their attendance centers, then the district must transport all
				students in that same situation in order to claim reimbursement for any
				transportation service.
c) Each
				district that is required to provide free transportation has the responsibility
				of providing sufficient buses for transporting all eligible pupils.
d) Each school district is required to
				conform to the equipment standards and regulations established by the
				Department of Transportation.
e)
				Each local school board that provides transportation shall designate a person
				under its direct supervision to ensure adherence to all laws and regulations
				affecting safe pupil transportation.
f) School bus routing is the responsibility
				of the local school board. School districts shall arrange school bus stops to
				maximize safety, so that buses will not have to back up, and so that crossing
				arms will not infringe upon pedestrian crosswalks or cross streets. School
				buses are not required to enter private property.
g) Local school boards shall institute
				policies and practices that promote the safety and well-being of school bus
				passengers, including provisions that support Section 10-22.6(b) of the School
				Code [105 ILCS
				5/10-22.6(b)]. Local school boards shall require that
				all school bus drivers who transport pupils have been trained as discussed in
				Section
				1.515
				of this Part. The requirements set forth in subsections (h) through (n) of this
				Section shall serve as minimum statewide requirements for operating a school
				bus. Transportation for students who receive special education and related
				services shall be as set forth in the State Board's rules for Special Education
				(23 Ill. Adm. Code 226). Local school boards may adopt more stringent
				requirements, at their discretion.
h) Operation of the Bus by the Driver
1) The service door shall be closed at all
				times when the bus is in motion.
2)
				Windows shall not be lowered below the stop line painted on the body
				pillar.
3) The emergency door shall
				be unlocked but securely latched when operating the school bus.
4) The driver shall not leave the bus while
				the motor is running.
5) The
				gasoline tank shall not be filled while there are any persons on the bus or
				while the motor is running.
6) The
				school bus signs shall be displayed only when the bus is being used for
				official school transportation.
7)
				The required alternately flashing warning lights and stop arm shall be used
				only when stopping to receive or discharge students.
8) The driver shall not back a bus at the
				school while students are in the vicinity unless a responsible person is
				present to guide the bus driver.
9)
				The driver shall not permit a weapon or explosive of any kind on the
				bus.
10) The driver shall not smoke
				when operating a school bus.