Bill Text: IL SB2340 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that any person convicted of violating provisions related to approaching, overtaking, or passing a school bus, or similar provisions of a local ordinance, shall be subject to a mandatory fine of $500 (rather than $300) for a first violation. Provides that a person who observes a violation related to approaching, overtaking, or passing a school bus or making contact with a stopped school bus may file a written or oral complaint with the county sheriff's office, and at the sheriff's discretion, the report may be transferred to the Illinois State Police or municipal police department. Requires the report to be investigated by a peace officer, and the investigating officer to contact the reporting party within 30 days to provide an update on the status or outcome of the investigation. Requires that no later than July 1, 2024, a school bus must be equipped with an extended stop arm that partially obstructs the roadway if the school bus has a route that includes a bus stop which requires a school child to cross a roadway. Establishes that each extended stop arm must be equipped with additional flashing red lights. Provides that the side extension arm must be capable of extending up to 72 inches, measured from the side of the bus to the furthest part of the extension arm, and at a height not less than 36 inches from the ground. Provides that the rear extension arm must meet the same specification as the side extension arm, except that it may not extend more than 32 inches from the side of the school bus. Prohibits a driver of a motor vehicle from making contact with any portion of a stopped school bus or with a school child within 30 feet of the school bus, and the violation of such is a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of not more than $500. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-6)

Status: (Passed) 2023-07-28 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0404 [SB2340 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SB2340-Chaptered.html

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Public Act 103-0404
SB2340 Enrolled LRB103 30820 MXP 57318 b
AN ACT concerning transportation.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by
changing Section 12-803 as follows:
(625 ILCS 5/12-803) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-803)
Sec. 12-803. (a) Each school bus shall be equipped with a
stop signal arm on the driver's side of the school bus that may
be operated either manually or mechanically. Each For each
school bus manufactured on and after September 1, 1992, the
stop signal arm shall be an octagon shaped semaphore that
conforms to 49 C.F.R. 571.131, "SCHOOL BUS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
DEVICES", S5.1 through S5.5.
(b) Each school bus manufactured prior to September 1,
1992 shall be equipped with a stop signal arm that conforms to
standards promulgated by the Department.
(c) A school bus may be equipped with an extension to the
required stop arm that partially obstructs the roadway to
ensure passenger safety.
(d) A maximum of 2 extensions to the required stop arms may
be installed on the driver's side of the school bus.
(e) In addition to the lighting systems required under
Section 12-805, each extension to the required stop arm must

be equipped with a system of flashing red lights. The front
side extension to the required stop arm must extend no more
than 78 inches, measured from the side of the bus to furthest
part of the extension to the required stop arm, and at a height
not less than 36 inches from the ground. The rear side
extension to the required stop arm must meet the same
specification as the front side extension to the required stop
arm except that it may not extend more than 32 inches, measured
from the side of the bus to the furthest part of the extension
to the required stop arm.
(f) No driver of a motor vehicle may make contact with any
portion of a stopped school bus, including an extension to the
required stop arm, or make contact with a school child within
30 feet of the school bus. A driver of motor vehicle that
violates this subsection shall be subject to the penalties
under Section 11-1414.
(Source: P.A. 88-415.)