(A) General.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 18 enrolled in a public, private or parochial school within the corporate or uncorporate limits of the village to absent himself or herself from attendance at school without the parental and/or legal guardians’ permission.
(2) Any person who shall so absent himself or herself shall be guilty of the offense of truancy and be subject to the penalties set forth in this chapter.
(3) Emergency or unforseen absences due to illness or other reasonable causes beyond the control of the person so absenting himself or herself from school without parental and/or legal guardians’ permission shall not constitute truancy if permission for that absence has substantially been obtained from the parent and/or legal guardian and the permission is submitted in writing to the proper school authorities within 24 hours after the absence.
(B) Procedure. Initial contact and documentation:
(1) Patrol officer and/or truant officer to pick up school aged children during school hours;
(2) Verify truancy with school via radio, telephone or personal visit;
(3) Return truant to proper authority at their respective schools: (e.g. high schools - dean’s office, middle schools - principals office, elementary schools - principals office);
(4) Make out a miscellaneous report titled “Truant” or “Truancy” containing the following information: full name, date of birth, address, telephone number, parent’s name, work place telephone number, elementary, junior high or high school attended;
(5) Forward copy of report to juvenile investigations, and the truant officer of the county;
(6) Juvenile officer will review report and complete or update juvenile contact card; and
(7) School representative or county truant officer may file a report of truancy directly with juvenile officer in cases of frequent truancy not documented by police reports.
(C) Follow-up on repeat offenders (chronic truants).
(1) Juvenile officer, county truant officer and school representative (dean, principal or other designated authority) will set up a student and parent conference.
(2) The following disposition or “staffing” may result:
(a) Station adjustment;
(b) Station adjustment with supervision by a juvenile officer, if applicable;
(c) Referred to counseling and/or appropriate agency to deal with the specialized problem;
(d) Referred to Juvenile Court; and/or
(e) Referred to Adult Court (in cases of 17 or 18 year olds who for various reasons are special problems such as but not limited to behavior disorders, learning disabilities and the like).
(3) Court referral:
(a) Juvenile officer will attempt to have a school representative or the county truant officer sign a petition to be filed with the State’s Attorney Office in cases being referred to Juvenile or Adult Court; and/or
(b) Juvenile officer will issue carbon copy ticket on local truancy ordinance in cases being referred to Adult Court or Juvenile Court, to the county truant officer.
(4) Recommended dispositions in Juvenile or Adult Court:
(a) Court supervision for one year and/or balance of present school year in which offense was committed;
(b) Suspension of drivers license where applicable;
(c) Community service work;
(d) Fines of $15 to $500:
1. Suspended and waived upon successful completion of school year; and
2. Fine to stand on non-compliance.
(e) Referral to specific agencies available to address specific problems; and
(f) Incarcerate - County Jail.
(Ord. 501, passed 7-6-1993)