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McHenry CHSD 156

255 tickets identified

Local law enforcement agencies reported 255 tickets issued to students during the school years ending in 2019, 2020 and 2021 in McHenry CHSD 156. These tickets might have been in addition to other punishments, such as detention or suspension. Related investigation →

Tickets were often issued for use or possession of tobacco or e-cigarettes and disorderly conduct. 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.

Ticketed for truancy before 2019

Students in at least one school in this district were referred to police to be ticketed for truancy (being absent from or late to school without a valid excuse) before a 2019 Illinois law prohibited the practice. Since then, reporters found no records of truancy tickets being issued in the district.

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 McHenry CHSD 156

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.

McHenry High School West Campus

Enrollment: 1,476 Policed by: City of McHenry Police Department

City of McHenry Police Department reported 156 tickets issued at this school for infractions including use or possession of tobacco or e-cigarettes, disorderly conduct, use or possession of cannabis or cannabis paraphernalia, truancy, fighting, and use or possession of alcohol.

McHenry confirmed that it sends juveniles’ debts to collections.

Racial breakdown of students issued tickets in McHenry High School West Campus

Some tickets may not include the race of the student.

McHenry High School East Campus

Enrollment: 665 Policed by: City of McHenry Police Department

City of McHenry Police Department reported 99 tickets issued at this school for infractions including use or possession of tobacco or e-cigarettes, disorderly conduct, fighting, use or possession of cannabis or cannabis paraphernalia, and use or possession of alcohol.

McHenry confirmed that it sends juveniles’ debts to collections.

Racial breakdown of students issued tickets in McHenry High School East Campus

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.