Kickert School Bus Company, a subsidiary of Cook-Illinois Corporation, has been sold to First Student, Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kickert has contracts for service with Homewood District 153, Flossmoor District 161 and Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233.

“We are excited to welcome the Cook-Illinois Corporation to the First Student family,” said Brenna Rudisill, manager of strategic communications at First Student in an email to the Chronicle. “Cook-Illinois joins us in our mission to provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school. We look forward to the positive impact we can make together for the students, families and communities we serve.”

Chronicle inquiries about terms of the deal, continuing contracts and status of Kickert employees did not receive a response from First Student.

H-F District 233 is negotiating a new contract with First Student.

Homewood District 153 is in year one of a three-year contract with Kickert. Eric Trimberger, chief school business official, said the contract’s terms are being accepted by First Student.

Flossmoor District 161 has a contract with Kickert that First Student will honor, said Associate Superintendent Fran LaBella. The district will be meeting soon with the firm’s representatives to determine next steps.

Kickert School Bus, founded in 1915 by Richard Kickert, is based in Lynwood. Its website touts the company’s ability to survive two World Wars and the Depression of the 1930s. 

The company struggled in 2020 and 2021 when schools shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kickert renegotiated contracts with school districts to have expenses partially covered to survive those years. When schools reopened, the company had to rebuild its employee roster as many bus drivers did not return to work.

Each school district has a person designated to interact with the bus company related to scheduling and pick-up times.