Illinois can now be added to the growing list of states looking to limit cell phones in school after Governor JB Pritzker proposed statewide legislation that would ban phones during instruction time.
During his State of the State Address Wednesday, Pritzker noted that Illinois eighth graders had the second-highest reading scores in the nation in 2024 and fifth-highest math scores, emphasizing “more focus on learning will bring even greater success across our state.”
“Improving the classroom environment and limiting distractions is vital to student achievement, and in conversations with educators and parents around this state, there is one thing that they commonly cite as an impediment to in the classroom: cell phones,” he said. “Furthermore, cyberbullying has expanded at alarming rates and its time for Illinois to take measures to protect our kids. That’s why this session, I’ll move forward with legislation requiring all school districts in Illinois to adopt a cell phone policy that bans the use of phones during classroom instruction.”
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During his address, Pritzker received a standing ovation from lawmakers and state officials in support of his initiative. Legislation has also been introduced in both houses of the General Assembly that would require school districts to set policies on cell phones.
Eight other states have policies in place that limit or ban cell phones in the classroom, including Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, South Carolina, California, Virginia, Ohio, and Minnesota. Fifteen other states have proposed a ban and five more have encouraged schools to implement a cell phone policy or have initiated a pilot program.
Below is a chart created by AP News. It was published on Jan. 16 so it does not include Illinois as a state with a proposed ban.
Graphic Source: AP News
Illinois School Cell Phone Ban Would Make Exceptions
Like many other states that have proposed or implemented school cell phone legislation, Pritzker’s proposal would make exceptions to the policy, Straight Arrow News reports. Devices can be used during emergencies or threats, teachers can approve their use for educational purposes, and doctors can recommend them as a necessary aid. The policy would also allow devices to be used as part of a student’s special education plan or to help students for whom English is their second language.
At least 10 school districts in Illinois have already implemented their own cell phone restrictions. Oregon Junior/Senior High School, which is part of the Oregon Community Unit School District 220, implemented a no phone policy in classrooms three years ago, WREX reports. The change has been added to the school’s code of conduct and school staff said it has improved student grades, among other things.
“Cell phones are really distracting and even if it’s just an alert, a buzz, students, there’s a lot of research that indicates that students’ minds are off task, and it takes a long time for them to come back,” said Principal Heidi Deininger. “We’ve seen an increase in engagement in our classrooms and a decrease in some of the social-emotional things that we’re occurring on social media platforms and through text messages.”
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Students were initially required to place their phones in a locker system. They are now mostly able to keep them in their backpacks without distractions.
“We always kind of remind them it’s 45 minutes. No phone, we really want you to focus on your academics and what’s going on in the classroom,” she said.
Deininger noted if students need to look something up for school, they have access to Chromebooks. They are also still allowed to use their phones in between classes and during lunch breaks.
Pritzker’s proposed legislation would go into effect during the 2026-27 school year.
