For the purposes of this article, the term "school vehicle" means a vehicle which, for direct or indirect compensation, transports children to or from any school, day nursery, daycare center, day camp, play group or any regularly conducted public or private educational, religious, recreational or care program. This definition shall include motor vehicles of any body style so used, whether operated by the school or other institution, association or enterprise as defined herein or by an independent operator, and shall include such vehicles whether the fee or cost for such transportation is paid to the owner of the vehicle directly by such children or their parents or guardians, or paid by the sponsoring school, association or enterprise, whether on a per trip or other basis. All public carriers certified by the state commerce commission and all vehicles belonging to a public utility or municipal corporation are not included in this definition.
(Code 1972, § 6-11-1)
1 625 ILCS 5/1-182.