summary
Introduced
02/07/2025
02/07/2025
In Committee
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
Crossed Over
04/09/2025
04/09/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the School Code. Requires each school district to include in its student handbook for grades kindergarten through 12 railroad safety messaging. Allows a school district to opt-out of the messaging requirement if the school board of the school district determines that the inclusion of such messaging is unnecessary based on local context or the messaging's alignment with curriculum. Effective July 1, 2026.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Illinois School Code to require school districts to include specific railroad safety messaging in student handbooks for grades kindergarten through 12. The messaging covers six key safety guidelines, including instructions to cross tracks only at designated crossings, never walk on train tracks, only cross at public crossings with warning signals, wait after a train passes before crossing, pay attention to flashing red lights and lowered gates, and understand the dangers of mixing recreation with railroad tracks. The bill allows school boards to opt-out of including this messaging if they determine it is unnecessary based on local context or curriculum alignment. The new requirement will take effect on July 1, 2026, giving school districts ample time to update their student handbooks. The overall goal of the bill appears to be raising awareness among students about railroad safety and preventing potentially dangerous interactions with train tracks and trains.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (22)
Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D)*,
Matt Hanson (D)*,
Dee Avelar (D),
Diane Blair-Sherlock (D),
Kam Buckner (D),
Sharon Chung (D),
Terra Costa Howard (D),
Margaret Croke (D),
Martha Deuter (D),
Paul Faraci (D),
Barbara Hernandez (D),
Norma Hernandez (D),
Linda Holmes (D),
Thaddeus Jones (D),
Seth Lewis (R),
Anna Moeller (D),
Nick Smith (D),
Anne Stava-Murray (D),
Katie Stuart (D),
Curtis Tarver (D),
Sally Turner (R),
Janet Yang Rohr (D),
Last Action
Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Paul Faraci (on 02/03/2026)
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