Illinois Senate unanimously approves school cell phone ban, sends bill to House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State senators passed a bill Wednesday night to ban cell phones in classrooms.

The legislation requires school districts to adopt policies to ensure students do not use their cell phones during instructional time in a way that meets the needs of their community.

Each school district would need to allow for exceptions in cases of emergencies and if students with disabilities need technology. Teachers could also use cell phones for educational purposes.

"Students need to focus on what's going on in the classroom and we want to help them be successful," said Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin). "Let's get the distracting devices out of their hands and have their noses in those books."

This plan passed unanimously out of the Senate and now moves to the House for further consideration.

Gov. JB Pritzker is also advocating for a school cell phone ban to pass out of both chambers this spring.

"It's imperative that our state set our young people up to achieve their full potential, not just by investing in them, but by fostering a healthy and productive classroom environment," Pritzker said in Champaign last month.