CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Cellphones in classrooms have long been a topic of debate, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is making his stance clear: they’re a distraction. In his State of the State speech in February, Pritzker proposed legislation that would ban cellphones during classroom instruction, while allowing their use during breaks and between classes. The proposal would not apply to private schools.
Pritzker’s move comes after conversations with educators across the state who cited cellphones as a major impediment to effective classroom learning. “There is one thing most commonly cited as an impediment to classroom learning: cellphones,” Pritzker said at a recent news conference in Champaign.
Some of Illinois’ largest school districts, such as Springfield, Peoria, and Champaign, have already implemented their own cellphone restrictions. Champaign Unit 4 School District, which began its policy last fall, has received positive feedback from both parents and teachers. “We want our students’ phones turned off so their minds can be fully engaged in learning,” said Champaign Superintendent Sheila Boozer. She added that since every student is provided with a Chromebook for schoolwork, cellphones are unnecessary for learning.
Under Pritzker’s proposed legislation, schools would be required to establish their own guidelines for securely storing phones during instructional time. However, students would not face fines or penalties from law enforcement for violating the no-cellphone policy. Additionally, the proposal includes exemptions in cases of emergencies, teacher-approved educational use, or medical necessity.
While Pritzker’s proposal aims to reduce distractions, it also aims to improve student well-being. “Study after study has demonstrated the benefits of a ban in classroom use of cellphones,” Pritzker said, noting that such policies have been linked to decreases in bullying and improvements in GPA and Advanced Placement test scores.
The issue of cellphone use in schools is not unique to Illinois. Last year, eight states enacted some form of cellphone restrictions, and this year, 13 states, including Illinois, have introduced similar legislation. A 2023 Pew Research poll found that 72% of high school educators view cellphone distractions as a major problem in the classroom. However, 60% of those same educators said enforcing cellphone policies is difficult.
Public opinion is divided, with 53% of U.S. adults opposing a complete ban on phones in schools, while 68% support banning them during class, according to a 2024 Pew poll.