DeKalb CUSD 428

135 tickets identified

Local law enforcement agencies reported 135 tickets issued to students during the school years ending in 2019, 2020 and 2021 in DeKalb CUSD 428. These tickets might have been in addition to other punishments, such as detention or suspension. Related investigation →

Tickets were often issued for fighting and use or possession of cannabis or cannabis paraphernalia. These tickets were issued for violations of municipal ordinances, usually minor infractions, and typically included a fine, which could be as high as $750. More serious offenses could result in arrest and criminal charges instead of a ticket.

No tickets issued for truancy identified

No cases of students being ticketed for truancy (being absent from or late to school without a valid excuse) were identified in DeKalb CUSD 428.

Juveniles’ debts may be sent to collections

At least one municipality in this district confirmed that it sends juveniles’ debts to collections, meaning a private company or state program can pursue the debt. In some cases, students can face higher financial penalties if the debt is not paid quickly.

Racial breakdown of students issued tickets in DeKalb CUSD 428

Some tickets may not include the race of the student.

The district did not provide a racial breakdown of students who were issued tickets.

Know about ticketing in this district? Help us report on ticketing in schools.

Note: Schools are only shown if reporters requested data from them. This may not include every school in the district.

DeKalb High School

Enrollment: 1,804 Policed by: DeKalb Police Department

DeKalb Police Department reported 109 tickets issued at this school for infractions including fighting, use or possession of cannabis or cannabis paraphernalia, and use or possession of alcohol.

DeKalb confirmed that it sends juveniles’ debts to collections.

Racial breakdown of students issued tickets in DeKalb High School

Some tickets may not include the race of the student.

Clinton Rosette Middle School

Enrollment: 624 Policed by: DeKalb Police Department

DeKalb Police Department reported 15 tickets issued at this school for infractions including fighting and use or possession of cannabis or cannabis paraphernalia.

DeKalb confirmed that it sends juveniles’ debts to collections.

Racial breakdown of students issued tickets in Clinton Rosette Middle School

Some tickets may not include the race of the student.

Huntley Middle School

Enrollment: 903 Policed by: DeKalb Police Department

DeKalb Police Department reported 11 tickets issued at this school for infractions including fighting and use or possession of cannabis or cannabis paraphernalia.

DeKalb confirmed that it sends juveniles’ debts to collections.

Racial breakdown of students issued tickets in Huntley Middle School

Some tickets may not include the race of the student.

Help ProPublica and the Chicago Tribune Report on Police Issuing Tickets at Schools

Police are ticketing students at schools across Illinois for behavior such as vaping, littering and disorderly conduct. Many students are forced to appear at hearings, which means missing school time, and the cases almost always result in judgments against the students, which carry fines as high as $750. We have found students as young as 10 are being ticketed, and Black students are disproportionately impacted.

To continue with this important reporting, we need to hear from people who have been affected by tickets handed out at school. Are you a parent, school worker, researcher or attorney? Please fill out this brief survey.

We take your privacy seriously. We are gathering these stories for the purposes of our reporting and will not publish your name or information without your consent.