720 ILCS 5/21-5.5 – Criminal Trespass to a Safe School Zone
This law makes it a crime to enter or stay in a school area when you are not allowed to be there.
This Illinois law says a person can be charged for going into or staying near a school when they’ve been told not to or have no reason to be there, especially if it could disturb school safety or activities.
(a) The explains explains what certain words mean:
“Employee” means someone who works for a school, like a teacher, coach, secretary, custodian, or other staff member–not an outside contractor.
“School administrator” means the principal or someone the principal chooses to act for them.
“Safe school zone” includes school buildings, grounds, nearby sidewalks, and streets during school hours or within one hour before or after school or a school activity.
“School activity” means any class, event, or activity run by the school, and the hour before or after it.
“Student” means anyone currently or formerly enrolled at the school.
(b) A person commits criminal trespass to a safe school zone if he or she knowingly does one of the following:
- Goes into or stays in a safe school zone without a good reason when that person is a student or school worker who has been suspended, expelled, or fired for causing trouble, has been told in writing not to return during the suspension or expulsion period, and has received written notice in person or by mail.
- Goes into or stays in a safe school zone without a good reason after being told by the principal or someone acting for them not to come back because their presence or actions might disturb or threaten the peace or safety of the school. This rule does not apply to protected rights, such as free speech, peaceful protest, or religious expression.
(c) Sentence: Breaking this law is a Class A misdemeanor, which means it is a serious minor crime that can include jail time and fines.
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