Effective immediately, a new Illinois law, stemming from Senate Bill 1519, 

prohibits any person from issuing monetary fines, fees, tickets, or citations to students for municipal code violations occurring on school grounds or on a school bus. This legislation closes a loophole in a 2015 law that banned schools from issuing fines directly but did not prevent police from ticketing students for the same infractions, such as truancy, vaping, and disorderly conduct. 

Background and motivations

• Response to ticketing loophole: A 2022 investigation by ProPublicaand the Chicago Tribuneexposed how schools circumvented the 2015 fine ban by involving local law enforcement to ticket students for minor misbehaviors. Over a three-year period, more than 140 school districts issued thousands of tickets, with potential fines reaching up to $750.
• Addressing disproportionate impact: State education officials and lawmakers cited a disproportionate impact on students of color and students with disabilities, who were ticketed at significantly higher rates.
• Limiting school-to-prison pipeline: The law intends to prevent schools from becoming entry points into the justice system for students. Fines and fees can create financial hardship for families and do not address the underlying causes of student misbehavior. 

Key provisions and requirements

The new law establishes an immediate ban on issuing fines or tickets for municipal code violations on school property or during school hours. It also mandates that by July 1, 2026, school districts with a School Resource Officer (SRO) must have a formal agreement with local law enforcement that includes prohibiting SROs from issuing tickets on school property. Additionally, starting in the 2027-2028 school year, districts are required to report data on law enforcement referrals annually to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). 

What the law does not do

The legislation does not prohibit schools from contacting law enforcement when required by law for criminal activity or safety threats. It also does not affect schools’ ability to use other disciplinary measures under the Illinois School Code or require restitution for damaged property. 

Transition to alternative practices

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is advocating for alternative, non-punitive disciplinary methods, including trauma-informed practices and behavioral interventions.