Illinois lawmakers approved SB2427, a measure requiring school districts to limit student cellphone use during instructional time. Gov. JB Pritzker said he will sign the bill into law.
Illinois lawmakers have approved a bill that would require school districts to limit student cellphone use during instructional time, and Gov. JB Pritzker says he will sign it into law.
The measure, SB2427, directs districts to adopt wireless-device policies that restrict phone use while class is in session and include guidance for secure, accessible storage of devices during instructional time.
Pritzker said in a statement after the bill passed that he looked forward to signing it. Media reports on June 1 said the legislature had sent the measure to the governor for approval.
The bill includes exceptions for educational use, emergencies, medical needs, accommodations under IEPs and Section 504 plans, and English learner access needs.
It also bars schools from enforcing the policy through fees, fines, suspensions, expulsions or the use of school resource officers or local law enforcement.
The law would require school boards to put the policy in place, making Illinois the latest state to move toward tighter classroom cellphone restrictions as educators and lawmakers continue debating the effect of phones on learning and student attention.
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