Illinois Enacts Statewide Law Restricting Personal Electronic Devices in Public Schools

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2427 into law on July 28, 2026, establishing a statewide requirement for public school districts to restrict student access to personal electronic devices during the school day.

The law impacts approximately 850 public school districts across Illinois. Districts are required to draft and implement local device policies prior to the start of the 2027–2028 academic year. To assist school boards in establishing these frameworks, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is tasked with publishing a model policy template by September 1, 2026.

Scope of Device Restrictions

The legislation establishes "bell-to-bell" restriction guidelines, limiting personal device use from arrival to final dismissal:

• Kindergarten through 8th Grade: Devices are restricted throughout the entire school day, including instructional time, lunch periods, recess, and passing periods.

• High School (Grades 9–12): Devices are prohibited during instructional class time. High school policies may permit device access during non-instructional hours, such as lunch and passing periods, at local discretion.

The restriction applies to personal mobile devices, including cellphones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, smartwatches, and other wearable smart technology. Devices issued or mandated by schools for educational purposes remain permitted with teacher authorization.

Statutory Exemptions

SB 2427 details specific circumstances where device usage must be permitted, including:

• Medical necessity as directed by a healthcare professional for student health management.

• Requirements outlined in an Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 plan, or written accommodation plan.

• Educational support for English language learners.

• Imminent threats or emergency situations.

• Approved student caregiver responsibilities evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

  
  

Enforcement Rules and Implementation

The law sets parameters on how districts may enforce local device policies. It prohibits schools from imposing financial fines, fees, out-of-school suspensions, or expulsions solely for device policy violations. Furthermore, districts are barred from deploying School Resource Officers (SROs) or local law enforcement officers to address basic device compliance.

School boards are required to incorporate secure storage guidelines into their policies to minimize the risk of lost or stolen property, and personnel acting in good faith receive statutory immunity from liability regarding stored property damage. Local policies must be developed in consultation with teachers, school administrators, and parents, with student input encouraged.

Legislative Background and National Context

The bill passed the Illinois General Assembly with bipartisan support, clearing the House in a 102–3 vote in April 2026 and the Senate in a 55–2 vote in May.

Districts with existing phone policies that meet the core requirements of the statute may maintain their guidelines, with a transition window extending through the 2031–2032 academic year to fully align with the new state standards. Supporters of the legislation cited research, including a Pew Research Center survey indicating that 72% of high school teachers consider cellphone distraction a major issue in the classroom. Illinois joins more than 35 states and Washington, D.C., in enacting statewide measures to regulate student personal electronic devices in public schools.