Illinois Lawmakers Approve Bill Limiting Students' Cell Phone Use in Class
The bipartisan measure sets a bell-to-bell ban for elementary and middle school students and limits enforcement to nonpunitive steps.
- On Sunday, Illinois lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2427, prohibiting student cellphone use during school hours, sending the measure to Governor JB Pritzker for signature.
- Pritzker championed the initiative after citing Pew research showing three-in-four high school teachers reported cellphone distractions as a major instructional problem.
- The measure mandates K-12 districts adopt bell-to-bell policies by the 2027-28 school year, with exceptions for students needing devices for health care or Individualized Education Plans.
- Upon signing, Illinois will join more than 30 other states limiting phones in schools; the law prohibits fines and suspensions, leaving storage guidelines to local school boards.
- While districts like Hinsdale High School District 86 already utilize storage pouches, the state mandate provides no additional funding for implementation, though existing local policies may remain until 2030-31.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Pritzker Praises Passage of Illinois School Cellphone Ban
SPRINGFIELD, IL. - Gov. JB Pritzker said he plans to sign legislation approved Sunday by Illinois lawmakers that would prohibit students from using cellphones during school hours, backing a statewide “bell-to-bell” policy that supporters said is intended to keep students engaged in class and improve academic outcomes.In statements issued after the passage of Senate Bill 2427, Pritzker and the bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Cristina Castro, said the …
Illinois legislature approves school cellphone ban, governor says he’ll sign
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker indicated he will sign legislation approved by Illinois lawmakers that prohibits students from using cellphones during school hours. Senate Bill 2427, which requires schools to adopt policies to limit the use of cellphones during the school day, passed the Senate on Sunday, the last day of Illinois’ legislative session. The measure mandates K-12 school districts adopt “bell-to-bell” policies banning the use of phones fr…
Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools – Center Square
More than half of all states have passed laws similar to that of Illinois’, with many states also including funding for school districts to enforce the bans through solutions like school-provided lockable bags. The Illinois plan does not include funding for the law’s implementation.
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