Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed a bill that will require all public schools in the state to implement a ban on cellphones and other personal electronic devices during school hours, unless students have been given specific permission to use them.

Goal of the Ban

The goal of the ban is to eliminate distractions and allow students and teachers to focus on learning. According to Pritzker, the ban will help ensure that every hour of school time has the greatest possible positive impact, allowing every child to fully learn, participate, and build the skills and relationships they need to thrive.

The law, which will go into effect before the start of the 2027-2028 school year, requires school districts to adopt policies that restrict the use of wireless communication devices during school hours. This includes cellphones, laptops, tablets, gaming devices, and wearable devices such as smartwatches, but does not include devices issued by schools or teachers for educational purposes.

Exceptions will be made for devices needed for medical reasons, special education purposes, or language translation for English language learners. Additionally, districts may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for students who are also caregivers for family members at home.

Implementation and Enforcement

School districts will be required to review their policies at least once every three years and consult with teachers, administrators, parents, and community members when making revisions. The law also prohibits schools from using fines, fees, suspensions, or expulsions to enforce the policies unless a student uses a regulated device to engage in gross disobedience or misconduct.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.