IL House passes school cell phone ban, sends bill back to Senate

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House passed a plan late Thursday night that could institute a statewide school cell phone ban.

This bill would require school districts to adopt policies to ensure students do not use their cell phones during class time in a way that meets the needs of their community.

Districts would need to allow exceptions for high school students, children fulfilling an IEP, emergencies, student health or when the device is used for translation services.

"This constant source of distraction is lowering their academic progress," said Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg). "It's increasing anxiety, depression, cyberbullying and inhibiting face-to-face communication at a critical time when youth are developing their social skills."

Schools will not be allowed to enforce cell phone bans through fines, fees or deployment of school resource officers and local law enforcement.

Senate Bill 2427 passed out of the House on a 102-4 vote with one representative voting present. Rep. Regan Deering (R-Decatur) was one of the members voting against the proposal.

The idea gained unanimous support in the Senate last spring. Senate Bill 2427 will now return to the original chamber on concurrence due to amended bill language.

Gov. JB Pritzker stood alongside Mussman and Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) to renew his push for the statewide cell phone ban in February.

"There is real harm being done by social media platforms," Pritzker said. "It interferes with our ability to give children the most productive educational environment possible. Frankly, it's just time to get cell phones out of the classroom. They're distracting."