SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Mike Porfirio’s measure to provide stronger protections for Illinois students disembarking on school buses was signed into law Friday by Governor JB Pritzker.
“Students deserve every safety provision as they travel to school. Far too many times we’ve seen drivers ignore school bus stop signs, putting our children’s lives in danger,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This law increases penalties for those who speed through these instances, especially repeat offenders who show blatant disregard for the safety of our students.”
Porfirio’s law creates stronger, more consistent enforcement when drivers illegally pass school buses while they are stopped at a bus stop. The law increases penalties for drivers who commit illegal passes while also supporting the implementation of district-wide use of safety technology to protect students on buses in the district.
To ensure local governments can decide what fits best for their community, counties have the option of deciding whether to participate in the safety technology program. Additionally, local school boards will need to provide approval for the program.
House Bill 3175 takes effect January 1, 2026.
