The following provisions of Section 1 of Article 26 of the school code regarding pupils compulsory attendance statute (105 ILCS 5/26-1), as amended, are hereby adopted by reference as if set out at length and a school hour curfew is hereby established herein.
(A) It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen (18) years who is subject to compulsory school attendance or who is enrolled in any public, private or parochial school to be absent from attendance at school in person or remote learning during any hours when school is in session during the regular school term unless he or she is:
1. Traveling to or from school by the most direct route; or
2. Accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or school official; or
3. Engaged in school related activities with written approval of school authorities; or
4. Engaged in personal business, including, but not limited to, employment, medical care, and religious activities, with prior notice from a parent or legal guardian to school authorities. The notice shall be an oral or written cause for absence, which is provided to the minor's school, at the beginning of the school day, explaining the valid cause for the absence.
(B) A police officer may stop and detain a person whom the officer reasonably suspects to be violating this section for the purpose of verifying the person's identity, age, school enrollment and authority to be absent from school. The police officer shall immediately inform the person of the reason of the detention and they will be released upon verification of the authorization to be absent from school. The person shall not be removed from the scene of the investigatory detention unless he or she refuses to provide the officer with the necessary information.
(C) A person violating this section shall be issued a notice to appear in the municipal court and, if practical, shall be taken to school authorities or a parent or legal guardian.
(D) It shall be unlawful for a parent, legal guardian or other person having custody or control of any person subject to this section to knowingly permit such person to violate this section.
(E) Persons suspended or expelled from any public, private or parochial school, who are in violation of this section, shall be deemed truant and this section shall apply to them and shall be in full force. (Ord. 1343, 2-8-2021)