Illinois House Approves Statewide School Cell Phone Ban 102-4

**TL;DR** Illinois House passed Senate Bill 2427 with a 102-4 vote, sending the bill back to the Senate for concurrence.

**Context** The legislation would require every school district to adopt a policy that limits student cell phone use during instructional time. Districts must allow exceptions for high schoolers, students with individualized education programs, emergencies, health needs, or translation device use.

**Key Facts** The vote was 102 in favor, four opposed, with one member present but not voting. Rep. Michelle Mussman said phones are a constant distraction that lowers academic progress and raises anxiety, depression, cyberbullying while hindering face-to-face communication.

**More Facts** Gov. JB Pritzker added that social media causes real harm, interferes with productive education, and that removing phones from classrooms is necessary because they are distracting. The bill bars enforcement through fines, fees, or the involvement of school resource officers or local police. The Senate had previously approved the measure unanimously.

**What It Means** If the Senate concurs, the bill will go to Gov. Pritzker for signature, after which districts will have to craft local policies that comply with the state mandate.

**Impact** Schools will need to balance the ban with the allowed exceptions, potentially reshaping classroom routines and student‑teacher interaction.

**What to watch next** The Senate’s concurrence vote, expected in the coming weeks, will determine whether the ban becomes law and how quickly districts implement the new rules.