IL
Illinois Senate Bill SB1873

Illinois 2025-2026 Regular Session

Illinois Senate Bill SB1873 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.
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11 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
22 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 SB1873 Introduced 2/5/2025, by Sen. Cristina Castro SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
33 105 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
44 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28
55 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new
66 105 ILCS 5/34-18.14 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14
77 105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new
88 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.
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1313 A BILL FOR
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1616 1 AN ACT concerning education.
1717 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
1818 3 represented in the General Assembly:
1919 4 Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
2020 5 10-20.28 and 34-18.14 and by adding Sections 10-20.28a and
2121 6 34-18.14a as follows:
2222 7 (105 ILCS 5/10-20.28) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28)
2323 8 Sec. 10-20.28. Cellular radio telecommunication devices.
2424 9 (a) (Blank). The General Assembly finds and declares that
2525 10 the educational development of all persons to the limits of
2626 11 their capacities is a fundamental goal of the people of this
2727 12 State and that to achieve such goal it is essential to provide
2828 13 a safe and secure learning environment within the public
2929 14 schools. While recognizing that cellular radio
3030 15 telecommunication devices may be used for inappropriate
3131 16 activities during school hours and on school property and may,
3232 17 on occasion, cause disruption to the classroom environment,
3333 18 the General Assembly also recognizes that the use of cellular
3434 19 radio telecommunication devices can decrease the response time
3535 20 of officials to emergency situations. In addition, cellular
3636 21 radio telecommunication devices allow parents an additional
3737 22 and timely method of contacting their children should an
3838 23 emergency situation arise. Therefore, it is the purpose and
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4242 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 SB1873 Introduced 2/5/2025, by Sen. Cristina Castro SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
4343 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
4444 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28
4545 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new
4646 105 ILCS 5/34-18.14 from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14
4747 105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new
4848 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.
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5151 STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY
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5353 A BILL FOR
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5959 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28 from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28
6060 105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new
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6262 105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new
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8585 1 intention of the General Assembly in enacting this legislation
8686 2 to (i) reduce the occurrence of inappropriate and disruptive
8787 3 activities during school hours and on school property
8888 4 occurring through the use of cellular radio telecommunication
8989 5 devices and (ii) increase the safety of students and school
9090 6 personnel during school hours and on school property.
9191 7 (b) The school board may establish appropriate rules and
9292 8 disciplinary procedures governing the use or possession of
9393 9 cellular radio telecommunication devices by a student while in
9494 10 a school or on school property, during regular school hours,
9595 11 or at any other time.
9696 12 (Source: P.A. 92-793, eff. 8-9-02.)
9797 13 (105 ILCS 5/10-20.28a new)
9898 14 Sec. 10-20.28a. Student use of personal wireless
9999 15 communication devices and social media platforms.
100100 16 (a) The General Assembly finds and declares that the
101101 17 educational development of all persons to the limits of their
102102 18 capacities is a fundamental goal of the people of this State,
103103 19 that to achieve such goal it is essential to provide a safe,
104104 20 productive, and nurturing learning environment within public
105105 21 schools, and that the unrestricted and unregulated use by
106106 22 students of wireless communication devices and social media
107107 23 platforms on school grounds adversely affects the educational
108108 24 environment, mental health, welfare, and safety of students
109109 25 enrolled in public schools.
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120120 1 It is the purpose and intention of the General Assembly to
121121 2 reduce or eliminate the use of personal wireless
122122 3 communications devices and social media for noneducational and
123123 4 illegal activities on school grounds by restricting and
124124 5 regulating student use or possession of personal wireless
125125 6 communication devices and social media as provided in this
126126 7 Section and by providing for the imposition of appropriate
127127 8 discipline and sanctions for any violation of this Section.
128128 9 (b) As used in this Section:
129129 10 "Social media platform" means an online platform,
130130 11 application, or tool that is accessible to the general public
131131 12 and allows people to create, share, and exchange information,
132132 13 messages, and content with others. "Social media platform"
133133 14 includes an application or online website, such as Facebook,
134134 15 X, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, or a similar online
135135 16 application or website.
136136 17 "Wireless communication device" means any portable
137137 18 wireless device that has the capability to provide voice,
138138 19 messaging, or other data communication between 2 or more
139139 20 parties, including a cellular telephone, tablet computer,
140140 21 laptop computer, or gaming device. "Wireless communication
141141 22 device" does not include any device that a school district or
142142 23 teacher has directly lent to, provided for, or required a
143143 24 student to possess and use for education purposes during
144144 25 instructional time.
145145 26 (c) No later than August 1, 2025, a school board shall
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156156 1 adopt a policy that:
157157 2 (1) prohibits a student from using personal wireless
158158 3 communication devices during instructional time; and
159159 4 (2) prevents student access to social media platforms
160160 5 through the use of Internet access provided by a school
161161 6 district.
162162 7 (d) In order to fulfill the requirements of this Section,
163163 8 a school board may prohibit student use of personal wireless
164164 9 communication devices during instructional time through any
165165 10 method it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to:
166166 11 (1) requiring students to store wireless communication
167167 12 devices in lockers, containers, or specified areas;
168168 13 (2) requiring students to keep wireless communication
169169 14 devices in a locked pouch or container during
170170 15 instructional time; or
171171 16 (3) requiring students to store wireless communication
172172 17 devices in designated areas before the start of any class
173173 18 or period of instruction.
174174 19 (e) A school board shall create exceptions to the policy
175175 20 for students to use wireless communication devices for:
176176 21 (1) a student's medical condition or physical or
177177 22 mental-health-related needs;
178178 23 (2) any health, family, or safety emergencies of a
179179 24 student; or
180180 25 (3) reasons outlined in a student's individualized
181181 26 education program or plan developed under Section 504 of
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192192 1 the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
193193 2 (f) A school board may create exceptions to the policy,
194194 3 including:
195195 4 (1) for educational purposes that have been outlined
196196 5 and approved by the school board, school district, or
197197 6 school administrator; and
198198 7 (2) for educational purposes that have been expressly
199199 8 approved by a teacher.
200200 9 (g) A school board shall impose or delegate to a school
201201 10 appropriate discipline or other sanctions against any student
202202 11 who violates this Section.
203203 12 (h) A school district shall post the policy publicly on
204204 13 its website.
205205 14 (i) The State Board of Education may adopt any rules that
206206 15 are necessary for the administration of this Section.
207207 16 (105 ILCS 5/34-18.14) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14)
208208 17 Sec. 34-18.14. Cellular radio telecommunication devices.
209209 18 (a) (Blank). The General Assembly finds and declares that
210210 19 the educational development of all persons to the limits of
211211 20 their capacities is a fundamental goal of the people of this
212212 21 State and that to achieve such goal it is essential to provide
213213 22 a safe and secure learning environment within the public
214214 23 schools. While recognizing that cellular radio
215215 24 telecommunication devices may be used for inappropriate
216216 25 activities during school hours and on school property and may,
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227227 1 on occasion, cause disruption to the classroom environment,
228228 2 the General Assembly also recognizes that the use of cellular
229229 3 radio telecommunication devices can decrease the response time
230230 4 of officials to emergency situations. In addition, cellular
231231 5 radio telecommunication devices allow parents an additional
232232 6 and timely method of contacting their children should an
233233 7 emergency situation arise. Therefore, it is the purpose and
234234 8 intention of the General Assembly in enacting this legislation
235235 9 to (i) reduce the occurrence of inappropriate and disruptive
236236 10 activities during school hours and on school property
237237 11 occurring through the use of cellular radio telecommunication
238238 12 devices and (ii) increase the safety of students and school
239239 13 personnel during school hours and on school property.
240240 14 (b) The board may establish appropriate rules and
241241 15 disciplinary procedures governing the use or possession of
242242 16 cellular radio telecommunication devices by a student while in
243243 17 a school or on school property, during regular school hours,
244244 18 or at any other time.
245245 19 (Source: P.A. 92-793, eff. 8-9-02.)
246246 20 (105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new)
247247 21 Sec. 34-18.14a. Student use of personal wireless
248248 22 communication devices and social media platforms.
249249 23 (a) The General Assembly finds and declares that the
250250 24 educational development of all persons to the limits of their
251251 25 capacities is a fundamental goal of the people of this State,
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262262 1 that to achieve such goal it is essential to provide a safe,
263263 2 productive, and nurturing learning environment within public
264264 3 schools, and that the unrestricted and unregulated use by
265265 4 students of wireless communication devices and social media
266266 5 platforms on school grounds adversely affects the educational
267267 6 environment, mental health, welfare, and safety of students
268268 7 enrolled in public schools.
269269 8 It is the purpose and intention of the General Assembly to
270270 9 reduce or eliminate the use of personal wireless communication
271271 10 devices and social media for noneducational and illegal
272272 11 activities on school grounds by restricting and regulating
273273 12 student use or possession of personal wireless communication
274274 13 devices and social media as provided in this Section and by
275275 14 providing for the imposition of appropriate discipline and
276276 15 sanctions for any violation of this Section.
277277 16 (b) As used in this Section:
278278 17 "Social media platform" means an online platform,
279279 18 application, or tool that is accessible to the general public
280280 19 and allows people to create, share, and exchange information,
281281 20 messages, and content with others. "Social media platform"
282282 21 includes an application or online website, such as Facebook,
283283 22 X, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, or a similar online
284284 23 application or website.
285285 24 "Wireless communication device" means any portable
286286 25 wireless device that has the capability to provide voice,
287287 26 messaging, or other data communication between 2 or more
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298298 1 parties, including a cellular telephone, tablet computer,
299299 2 laptop computer, or gaming device. "Wireless communication
300300 3 device" does not include any device that the school district
301301 4 or a teacher has directly lent to, provided for, or required a
302302 5 student to possess and use for education purposes during
303303 6 instructional time.
304304 7 (c) No later than August 1, 2025, the board shall adopt a
305305 8 policy that:
306306 9 (1) prohibits a student from using personal wireless
307307 10 communication devices during instructional time; and
308308 11 (2) prevents student access to social media platforms
309309 12 through the use of Internet access provided by the school
310310 13 district.
311311 14 (d) In order to fulfill the requirements of this Section,
312312 15 the board may prohibit student use of personal wireless
313313 16 communication devices during instructional time through any
314314 17 method it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to:
315315 18 (1) requiring students to store wireless communication
316316 19 devices in lockers, containers, or specified areas;
317317 20 (2) requiring students to keep wireless communication
318318 21 devices in a locked pouch or container during
319319 22 instructional time; or
320320 23 (3) requiring students to store wireless communication
321321 24 devices in designated areas before the start of any class
322322 25 or period of instruction.
323323 26 (e) The board shall create exceptions to the policy for
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334334 1 students to use wireless communication devices for:
335335 2 (1) a student's medical condition or physical or
336336 3 mental-health-related needs;
337337 4 (2) any health, family, or safety emergencies of a
338338 5 student; or
339339 6 (3) reasons outlined in a student's individualized
340340 7 education program or plan developed under Section 504 of
341341 8 the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
342342 9 (f) The board may create exceptions to the policy,
343343 10 including:
344344 11 (1) for educational purposes that have been outlined
345345 12 and approved by the school board, school district, or
346346 13 school administrator; and
347347 14 (2) for educational purposes that have been expressly
348348 15 approved by a teacher.
349349 16 (g) The board shall impose or delegate to a school
350350 17 appropriate discipline or other sanctions against any student
351351 18 who violates this Section.
352352 19 (h) The school district shall post the policy publicly on
353353 20 its website.
354354 21 (i) The State Board of Education may adopt any rules that
355355 22 are necessary for the administration of this Section.
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