A new law that took effect Nov. 30, 2018, expands school districts’ ability to offer free transportation to students who would otherwise walk through areas with a pattern of criminal gang activity. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has issued guidance and resources on implementing Public Act 100-1142. ISBE is providing resources that include a template letter parents can use to request that their school district review the streets their child(ren) travel to school to determine if a serious safety hazard due to criminal gang activity exists. School districts are not obligated to provide transportation to students who live within 1.5 miles of school. However, ISBE will reimburse school districts for the cost of transporting students who live within 1.5 miles of school, if by walking those students would have to pass through a serious safety hazard due to vehicular traffic, rail crossings, or, under the new public act, criminal gang activity. Districts that elected to begin transporting students whose routes met the expanded definition of a safety hazard may claim those students on the 2018-19 Regular Transportation Claim due Aug. 15, 2019, with reimbursement provided beginning in fiscal year 2020.