CHICAGO — A proposed statewide cellphone ban in Illinois classrooms has stalled in the legislature, despite broad support in the Senate and a public push from Gov. J.B. Pritzker. While the proposal didn’t make it to a House vote before the spring session ended, lawmakers say it could return during the fall veto session.
Senate Bill 2427, introduced earlier this year, aimed to restrict student cellphone use during instructional time starting in the 2026–2027 school year. The measure received unanimous support in the Senate (55–0) but was never called for a vote in the House.
What the Bill Would Have Done
The legislation would have required every Illinois school district to create a cellphone policy developed in collaboration with school communities. Key provisions included:
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Limiting cellphone use during instructional hours
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Creating guidelines for safe and secure storage
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Including exceptions for students with medical needs, IEPs, emergencies, or teacher-directed use
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Prohibiting enforcement through fines, school resource officers, or law enforcement
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Mandating school boards to review the policy every three years and publish it online or distribute it to families
Why It Stalled in the House
Although the bill had momentum, lawmakers say it became a casualty of time constraints during final negotiations on Illinois’ $55.2 billion state budget.
State Sen. Cristina Castro, the bill’s sponsor, said she didn’t hear major opposition but acknowledged the need for “fine-tuning” the language. Concerns ranged from device liability to how rules would be enforced without disproportionately affecting students of color.
State Rep. Michelle Mussman, who chairs the House Education Policy Committee, also cited issues like emergency phone access and accountability if a phone is lost or broken.
Governor Still Backs the Effort
Gov. Pritzker’s office remains committed to seeing the bill through. In a statement to Chalkbeat, his office said,
“Regulating cellphone use in schools is a crucial step toward improving student focus and academic performance.”
The administration filed witness slips in favor of the proposal earlier this year and mentioned it in Pritzker’s State of the State address.
What’s Next for the Proposal
Castro and Mussman say they plan to resume negotiations over the summer and bring the bill back during the fall veto session. If revived and passed, the new cellphone rules could take effect within two academic years.
A Broader National Trend
Illinois is not alone in debating school cellphone restrictions. According to PBS NewsHour, more than half of U.S. states have either passed or proposed legislation to regulate cellphone use in schools. Among them:
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Colorado, Indiana, New York, and Tennessee have passed bans
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Michigan and New Jersey are considering proposals
Research increasingly links cellphone and social media use to mental health issues among teens. A Gallup poll found 51% of teens spend over 4 hours daily on social media. A Pew survey showed 68% of adults support bans during class.
Do you think Illinois should restrict cellphone use in schools? Let us know how you think schools should handle devices — and whether you support this proposed legislation — in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
