Our children’s safety should never be compromised. One of the most important areas of concern for safety, not only in Chicago or Illinois but across the United States, is the method we use to transport our children to school—buses. Chicago has seen its share of tragic bus accidents, and it is mind-boggling that seat belts were never mandated on school buses. It is about time that children stop being projectiles inside a tin can when the buses they are riding in are in accidents. We have seat safety laws for our cars, minivans, SUVs, trucks, airplanes, etc. But why don’t we have mandated seat safety for school buses? Hopefully, that will all change in Illinois soon with a new bill being proposed by Rep. Elizabeth Coulson.

I urge all of you to support this bill. I cannot think of a more important piece of legislation that would have a more immediate impact on the health and welfare of your children and mine.

Please read more:

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2008, each school bus that is purchased new shall be equipped with seat safety belts for each passenger. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt rules to ensure that school districts require all passengers on those buses to wear seat safety belts. Provides that a school bus driver may not be held personally liable for passengers' failure to wear seat belts. Denies home rule powers. Makes a corresponding change in the Illinois Municipal Code. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State. Effective immediately.

House Amendment No. 1
Provides that, except for willful or wanton misconduct, a school bus driver may not be held personally liable for the failure of passengers to wear seat safety belts (rather than providing that a school bus driver may not be held personally liable for that failure under any circumstances).