104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026 SB1873 Introduced 2/5/2025, by Sen. Cristina Castro SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new105 ILCS 5/34-18.14 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new Amends the School Code. Provides that, no later than August 1, 2025, all school boards shall adopt a policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using personal wireless communication devices during instructional time; and (2) prevents student access to social media platforms through the use of Internet access provided by a school district. Allows a school board to prohibit student use of personal wireless communication devices during instructional time through any method it deems appropriate. Requires a school board to create exceptions to the policy for students to use wireless communication devices for certain reasons, and allows a school board to create other exceptions. Requires a school board to impose appropriate discipline or other sanctions against any student who violates these provisions. Requires a school district to post the policy publicly on its website. Allows the State Board of Education to adopt any rules that are necessary for the administration of the provisions. Effective immediately. LRB104 08426 LNS 18478 b STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026 SB1873 Introduced 2/5/2025, by Sen. Cristina Castro SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new105 ILCS 5/34-18.14 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new 105 ILCS 5/34-18.14 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14 105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new Amends the School Code. Provides that, no later than August 1, 2025, all school boards shall adopt a policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using personal wireless communication devices during instructional time; and (2) prevents student access to social media platforms through the use of Internet access provided by a school district. Allows a school board to prohibit student use of personal wireless communication devices during instructional time through any method it deems appropriate. Requires a school board to create exceptions to the policy for students to use wireless communication devices for certain reasons, and allows a school board to create other exceptions. Requires a school board to impose appropriate discipline or other sanctions against any student who violates these provisions. Requires a school district to post the policy publicly on its website. Allows the State Board of Education to adopt any rules that are necessary for the administration of the provisions. Effective immediately. LRB104 08426 LNS 18478 b LRB104 08426 LNS 18478 b STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY A BILL FOR
104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026 SB1873 Introduced 2/5/2025, by Sen. Cristina Castro SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new105 ILCS 5/34-18.14 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new 105 ILCS 5/34-18.14 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14 105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new
105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28
105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.14 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14
105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new
Amends the School Code. Provides that, no later than August 1, 2025, all school boards shall adopt a policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using personal wireless communication devices during instructional time; and (2) prevents student access to social media platforms through the use of Internet access provided by a school district. Allows a school board to prohibit student use of personal wireless communication devices during instructional time through any method it deems appropriate. Requires a school board to create exceptions to the policy for students to use wireless communication devices for certain reasons, and allows a school board to create other exceptions. Requires a school board to impose appropriate discipline or other sanctions against any student who violates these provisions. Requires a school district to post the policy publicly on its website. Allows the State Board of Education to adopt any rules that are necessary for the administration of the provisions. Effective immediately.
LRB104 08426 LNS 18478 b LRB104 08426 LNS 18478 b
LRB104 08426 LNS 18478 b
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY
A BILL FOR
SB1873LRB104 08426 LNS 18478 b SB1873 LRB104 08426 LNS 18478 b
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1 AN ACT concerning education.
2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
4 Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
5 10-20.28 and 34-18.14 and by adding Sections 10-20.28a and
6 34-18.14a as follows:
7 (105 ILCS 5/10-20.28) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28)
8 Sec. 10-20.28. Cellular radio telecommunication devices.
9 (a) (Blank). The General Assembly finds and declares that
10 the educational development of all persons to the limits of
11 their capacities is a fundamental goal of the people of this
12 State and that to achieve such goal it is essential to provide
13 a safe and secure learning environment within the public
14 schools. While recognizing that cellular radio
15 telecommunication devices may be used for inappropriate
16 activities during school hours and on school property and may,
17 on occasion, cause disruption to the classroom environment,
18 the General Assembly also recognizes that the use of cellular
19 radio telecommunication devices can decrease the response time
20 of officials to emergency situations. In addition, cellular
21 radio telecommunication devices allow parents an additional
22 and timely method of contacting their children should an
23 emergency situation arise. Therefore, it is the purpose and
104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026 SB1873 Introduced 2/5/2025, by Sen. Cristina Castro SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new105 ILCS 5/34-18.14 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new 105 ILCS 5/34-18.14 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14 105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new
105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28
105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.14 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14
105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new
Amends the School Code. Provides that, no later than August 1, 2025, all school boards shall adopt a policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using personal wireless communication devices during instructional time; and (2) prevents student access to social media platforms through the use of Internet access provided by a school district. Allows a school board to prohibit student use of personal wireless communication devices during instructional time through any method it deems appropriate. Requires a school board to create exceptions to the policy for students to use wireless communication devices for certain reasons, and allows a school board to create other exceptions. Requires a school board to impose appropriate discipline or other sanctions against any student who violates these provisions. Requires a school district to post the policy publicly on its website. Allows the State Board of Education to adopt any rules that are necessary for the administration of the provisions. Effective immediately.
LRB104 08426 LNS 18478 b LRB104 08426 LNS 18478 b
LRB104 08426 LNS 18478 b
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY
A BILL FOR
105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28
105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.14 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14
105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new
LRB104 08426 LNS 18478 b
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY
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1 intention of the General Assembly in enacting this legislation
2 to (i) reduce the occurrence of inappropriate and disruptive
3 activities during school hours and on school property
4 occurring through the use of cellular radio telecommunication
5 devices and (ii) increase the safety of students and school
6 personnel during school hours and on school property.
7 (b) The school board may establish appropriate rules and
8 disciplinary procedures governing the use or possession of
9 cellular radio telecommunication devices by a student while in
10 a school or on school property, during regular school hours,
11 or at any other time.
12 (Source: P.A. 92-793, eff. 8-9-02.)
13 (105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new)
14 Sec. 10-20.28a. Student use of personal wireless
15 communication devices and social media platforms.
16 (a) The General Assembly finds and declares that the
17 educational development of all persons to the limits of their
18 capacities is a fundamental goal of the people of this State,
19 that to achieve such goal it is essential to provide a safe,
20 productive, and nurturing learning environment within public
21 schools, and that the unrestricted and unregulated use by
22 students of wireless communication devices and social media
23 platforms on school grounds adversely affects the educational
24 environment, mental health, welfare, and safety of students
25 enrolled in public schools.
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1 It is the purpose and intention of the General Assembly to
2 reduce or eliminate the use of personal wireless
3 communications devices and social media for noneducational and
4 illegal activities on school grounds by restricting and
5 regulating student use or possession of personal wireless
6 communication devices and social media as provided in this
7 Section and by providing for the imposition of appropriate
8 discipline and sanctions for any violation of this Section.
9 (b) As used in this Section:
10 "Social media platform" means an online platform,
11 application, or tool that is accessible to the general public
12 and allows people to create, share, and exchange information,
13 messages, and content with others. "Social media platform"
14 includes an application or online website, such as Facebook,
15 X, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, or a similar online
16 application or website.
17 "Wireless communication device" means any portable
18 wireless device that has the capability to provide voice,
19 messaging, or other data communication between 2 or more
20 parties, including a cellular telephone, tablet computer,
21 laptop computer, or gaming device. "Wireless communication
22 device" does not include any device that a school district or
23 teacher has directly lent to, provided for, or required a
24 student to possess and use for education purposes during
25 instructional time.
26 (c) No later than August 1, 2025, a school board shall
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1 adopt a policy that:
2 (1) prohibits a student from using personal wireless
3 communication devices during instructional time; and
4 (2) prevents student access to social media platforms
5 through the use of Internet access provided by a school
6 district.
7 (d) In order to fulfill the requirements of this Section,
8 a school board may prohibit student use of personal wireless
9 communication devices during instructional time through any
10 method it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to:
11 (1) requiring students to store wireless communication
12 devices in lockers, containers, or specified areas;
13 (2) requiring students to keep wireless communication
14 devices in a locked pouch or container during
15 instructional time; or
16 (3) requiring students to store wireless communication
17 devices in designated areas before the start of any class
18 or period of instruction.
19 (e) A school board shall create exceptions to the policy
20 for students to use wireless communication devices for:
21 (1) a student's medical condition or physical or
22 mental-health-related needs;
23 (2) any health, family, or safety emergencies of a
24 student; or
25 (3) reasons outlined in a student's individualized
26 education program or plan developed under Section 504 of
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1 the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
2 (f) A school board may create exceptions to the policy,
3 including:
4 (1) for educational purposes that have been outlined
5 and approved by the school board, school district, or
6 school administrator; and
7 (2) for educational purposes that have been expressly
8 approved by a teacher.
9 (g) A school board shall impose or delegate to a school
10 appropriate discipline or other sanctions against any student
11 who violates this Section.
12 (h) A school district shall post the policy publicly on
13 its website.
14 (i) The State Board of Education may adopt any rules that
15 are necessary for the administration of this Section.
16 (105 ILCS 5/34-18.14) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14)
17 Sec. 34-18.14. Cellular radio telecommunication devices.
18 (a) (Blank). The General Assembly finds and declares that
19 the educational development of all persons to the limits of
20 their capacities is a fundamental goal of the people of this
21 State and that to achieve such goal it is essential to provide
22 a safe and secure learning environment within the public
23 schools. While recognizing that cellular radio
24 telecommunication devices may be used for inappropriate
25 activities during school hours and on school property and may,
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1 on occasion, cause disruption to the classroom environment,
2 the General Assembly also recognizes that the use of cellular
3 radio telecommunication devices can decrease the response time
4 of officials to emergency situations. In addition, cellular
5 radio telecommunication devices allow parents an additional
6 and timely method of contacting their children should an
7 emergency situation arise. Therefore, it is the purpose and
8 intention of the General Assembly in enacting this legislation
9 to (i) reduce the occurrence of inappropriate and disruptive
10 activities during school hours and on school property
11 occurring through the use of cellular radio telecommunication
12 devices and (ii) increase the safety of students and school
13 personnel during school hours and on school property.
14 (b) The board may establish appropriate rules and
15 disciplinary procedures governing the use or possession of
16 cellular radio telecommunication devices by a student while in
17 a school or on school property, during regular school hours,
18 or at any other time.
19 (Source: P.A. 92-793, eff. 8-9-02.)
20 (105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new)
21 Sec. 34-18.14a. Student use of personal wireless
22 communication devices and social media platforms.
23 (a) The General Assembly finds and declares that the
24 educational development of all persons to the limits of their
25 capacities is a fundamental goal of the people of this State,
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1 that to achieve such goal it is essential to provide a safe,
2 productive, and nurturing learning environment within public
3 schools, and that the unrestricted and unregulated use by
4 students of wireless communication devices and social media
5 platforms on school grounds adversely affects the educational
6 environment, mental health, welfare, and safety of students
7 enrolled in public schools.
8 It is the purpose and intention of the General Assembly to
9 reduce or eliminate the use of personal wireless communication
10 devices and social media for noneducational and illegal
11 activities on school grounds by restricting and regulating
12 student use or possession of personal wireless communication
13 devices and social media as provided in this Section and by
14 providing for the imposition of appropriate discipline and
15 sanctions for any violation of this Section.
16 (b) As used in this Section:
17 "Social media platform" means an online platform,
18 application, or tool that is accessible to the general public
19 and allows people to create, share, and exchange information,
20 messages, and content with others. "Social media platform"
21 includes an application or online website, such as Facebook,
22 X, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, or a similar online
23 application or website.
24 "Wireless communication device" means any portable
25 wireless device that has the capability to provide voice,
26 messaging, or other data communication between 2 or more
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1 parties, including a cellular telephone, tablet computer,
2 laptop computer, or gaming device. "Wireless communication
3 device" does not include any device that the school district
4 or a teacher has directly lent to, provided for, or required a
5 student to possess and use for education purposes during
6 instructional time.
7 (c) No later than August 1, 2025, the board shall adopt a
8 policy that:
9 (1) prohibits a student from using personal wireless
10 communication devices during instructional time; and
11 (2) prevents student access to social media platforms
12 through the use of Internet access provided by the school
13 district.
14 (d) In order to fulfill the requirements of this Section,
15 the board may prohibit student use of personal wireless
16 communication devices during instructional time through any
17 method it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to:
18 (1) requiring students to store wireless communication
19 devices in lockers, containers, or specified areas;
20 (2) requiring students to keep wireless communication
21 devices in a locked pouch or container during
22 instructional time; or
23 (3) requiring students to store wireless communication
24 devices in designated areas before the start of any class
25 or period of instruction.
26 (e) The board shall create exceptions to the policy for
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1 students to use wireless communication devices for:
2 (1) a student's medical condition or physical or
3 mental-health-related needs;
4 (2) any health, family, or safety emergencies of a
5 student; or
6 (3) reasons outlined in a student's individualized
7 education program or plan developed under Section 504 of
8 the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
9 (f) The board may create exceptions to the policy,
10 including:
11 (1) for educational purposes that have been outlined
12 and approved by the school board, school district, or
13 school administrator; and
14 (2) for educational purposes that have been expressly
15 approved by a teacher.
16 (g) The board shall impose or delegate to a school
17 appropriate discipline or other sanctions against any student
18 who violates this Section.
19 (h) The school district shall post the policy publicly on
20 its website.
21 (i) The State Board of Education may adopt any rules that
22 are necessary for the administration of this Section.
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