SPRINGFIELD — State lawmakers are targeting school bus drivers in the wake of an incident in which a 4-year-old autistic boy was left in a bus while the driver went shopping.

Under legislation approved by a Senate panel Wednesday, school buses would have to be equipped with tracking devices, two-way radios or cell phones as a way to communicate with school officials or police when something goes awry.

But the proposal contains no provision for the state to help out local school districts with the cost of outfitting the buses, causing skepticism among some lawmakers.

“This has the origin of a good idea,” said state Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, who suggested school districts would balk at the plan if it doesn’t contain state funding.

“I have not addressed the money issue on this yet,” said state Sen. James DeLeo, D-Chicago, who is sponsoring the legislation.

DeLeo crafted the proposal in response to an incident earlier this month in Niles, where a child 

didn’t get off the bus when it arrived at school. Authorities say the driver later parked the bus and went shopping, sparking a nearly two-hour search for both the bus and boy.

The child was found unharmed. The driver was charged with endangering the life of a child.

During deliberations in the Senate Executive Committee, the organization representing school bus operators asked DeLeo to allow them to have some input in the legislation, which was approved on a 7-3 vote.

State Sen. John Jones, R-Mount Vernon, voted “present.” He said the state shouldn’t get involved in the situation if it isn’t going to put up money to help districts meet the new requirement. “School districts can already do this,” he said.

If a driver is found to be operating a bus without the communications equipment, the proposal allows the Secretary of State to cancel the driver’s school bus permit.

The legislation is Senate Bill 932.