Illinois Lawmakers Consider Statewide School Cellphone Ban

Illinois students might have to start getting used to a quieter school day.

Governor JB Pritzker announced that he's once again pushing for a statewide cellphone ban in Illinois schools. The new proposal would require all public school districts and charter schools across the state to adopt a policy limiting cellphone use during the school day.

The isn't the first time lawmakers have tried to tackle student cellphone usage. An earlier bill failed to pass, but now lawmakers are back in session in Springfield, and the Governor is making another attempt.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker Pushes Statewide Cellphone Ban in Schools

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According to the governor's office, cellphones are hurting students academically and mentally. They say devices are doing the following:

Reducing social interaction
Increasing distractions during class
Negatively impacting students' mental health

Honestly, it's not just a political talking point. A new study found that 72% of high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in their classrooms. That's a huge number. 72%!

Some schools in Chicago already have rules restricting cellphones, so for certain students, this wouldn't be a drastic change. But this proposal would make it a statewide standard instead of a school-to-school decision.

There are exceptions built into the proposal, though. Students would still be allowed to access phones if:

A medical professional says it's necessary for their healthcare
It's required under an IEP
They are English learners who need access to learning materials
They are caregivers and need accessible communication

Lawmakers will now debate the proposal, once again, in Springfield. If passed, Illinois could join a growing list of states cracking down on student cellphone usage during the school day.

What are your thoughts? Should cellphones be banned or limited in schools?