Lawmakers Push Bill to Stop Schools from Issuing Fines as Punishment
A New Effort to Prevent Unfair Practices
A bill to prevent Illinois schools from issuing fines and tickets as punishment for students is being revived in the General Assembly. The initial effort in 2022 stalled due to concerns that the wording would prohibit law enforcement from intervening in serious matters. However, a new version has been introduced to close this loophole, clarifying that students can still be arrested for criminal action, but cannot be issued fines or tickets for municipal ordinance violations.
The Problem with Ticketing Students
The impetus for the original effort was a 2022 report by ProPublica and the Chicago Tribune that exposed the practice of issuing tickets to students for minor infractions such as littering, making loud noises, or using offensive words or gestures. From 2019 to 2021, roughly 11,800 tickets were issued across 70% of school districts in Illinois.
Financial Burden and Disruption to Education
Ticketing can create a significant financial burden on families and disrupt the students’ education. According to state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, “The behavior problems are not being addressed, so it literally pushes them further away from school instead of helping them learn from their mistakes.”
Illinois School Code and the Need for Change
The Illinois School Code bans fees as a form of discipline, but school administrators began referring students to law enforcement for violating local ordinances. This practice is often referred to as a “punishment of poverty,” as a single ticket can lead to court appearances, missed school, or even permanent records that follow these children into adulthood.
A Single Ticket Can Have Devastating Consequences
Some fines went as high as $750, the state maximum on such violations. Collection fees, late fees, and legal fees can push the total even higher. According to Aimee Galvin, government affairs director for the student advocacy group Stand for Children Illinois, “Not all school districts in Illinois issue tickets to their students, but if you’re unlucky enough that your school does this practice, you could end up truly paying for it.”
Conclusion
The bill aims to prevent schools from issuing fines and tickets as punishment for students, ensuring that students are not unfairly burdened with financial consequences for minor infractions. By closing the loophole and clarifying that students can still be arrested for criminal action, the bill seeks to promote a more equitable and just system.
FAQs
* What is the purpose of the bill?
+ The bill aims to prevent schools from issuing fines and tickets as punishment for students, ensuring that students are not unfairly burdened with financial consequences for minor infractions.
* Why did the initial effort stall?
+ The initial effort stalled due to concerns that the wording would prohibit law enforcement from intervening in serious matters.
* What is the new version of the bill?
+ The new version closes the loophole, clarifying that students can still be arrested for criminal action, but cannot be issued fines or tickets for municipal ordinance violations.
* What is the impact of ticketing on students?
+ Ticketing can create a significant financial burden on families and disrupt the students’ education.