Former Dist. 158 bus driver sentenced

A former Huntley Unit District 158 bus driver must pay a $1,500 fine, but avoided a possible jail sentence, for slamming on her brakes to send dozens of students flying from their seats after they became too rowdy.

Julieta Clinton, 38, of Lake in the Hills, also must spend 18 months on nonreporting probation, pay about $700 in court costs and undergo a psychological evaluation as part of a sentence handed down this month by McHenry County Judge Charles Weech.

The judge also banned Clinton for 18 months from working in a job that requires her to care for or supervise children. Clinton was found guilty in January of reckless conduct and endangering the life of health of a child in connection with the April 30 incident in the Leggee Elementary School parking lot.

Nineteen of the 54 students on the bus suffered minor injuries, police said.