As Illinois students return to school this fall, school boards and families will begin discussing and implementing a bell-to-bell cell phone ban, stemming from a new law that provides few exceptions for phone use during a school day.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the phone ban legislation Tuesday morning.
Many specifics of how bans will be enforced are left up to local school boards, which now have a full school year until they must adopt a policy that fits within the law’s minimum requirements.
The bill doesn’t specifically provide school districts with funding to implement the ban, which has been common in other states for products like magnetic locking bags to secure phones throughout the day.
Pritzker and multiple lawmakers, including state Rep. Michelle Mussman, highlighted that the legislation was unique to other states, noting community involvement in tailoring a phone policy.
Exceptions were made within the law for high school students that are enrolled in dual credit or other off campus programs, and allows districts to choose if high school students can also use cell phones during passing periods and lunch. Students with an IEP and other specific needs may also be granted an exception, according to the law.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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