New Law Expands Transportation For Students Who Walk To School

Walking to School

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The State of Illinois is offering to help school districts pay for bus rides for students, who walk through dangerous areas to get to and from school.Tim Imler of the Illinois State Board of Education said parents can also ask for assistance by downloading and filling out a letter posted on the board’s website.

"Parents can utilize that letter to send to their school district where they can indicate that they believe there is such activity for their child that walks to school," he said.

Imler said police will determine which routes pose enough danger to request state funding for school bus rides. He said in addition to crime, gang activity, students facing dangerous traffic or rail crossings also qualify.Imler said the state is waiving the usual requirement that a student live at least one-and-a-half miles from a school before a district is mandated to provide transportation.