IllinoisSB2427104th General Assembly (2025–2026)SenateWALLET

SCH CD-WIRELESS COMM DEVICE

Sponsored By: Cristina Castro (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the School Code. Provides that, on or before the 2026-2027 school year, each school board shall adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time, except as otherwise provided; and (2) includes guidance for secure and accessible storage of wireless devices during instructional time. Provides that the policy may not prohibit a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time: (1) when a teacher or instructor has authorized the student to use a wireless communication device for educational purposes; (2) in an emergency or in response to an imminent threat to the health or safety of an individual; (3) when a licensed physician determines that the possession or use of a wireless communication device is necessary for the health or well-being of the student; or (4) to fulfill an Individualized Education Plan or a Section 504 plan developed under Section 504; or (5) when the wireless communication device is necessary for students who are English learners to access learning materials. Prohibits a district from enforcing the policy through fees, fines, the deployment of a School Resource Officer, or local law enforcement officer. Requires each school board to review the effectiveness of its wireless communication device policy at least every 3 years.

assignmentseducationeducation policy

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Fewer penalties for device violations

Districts and charter schools cannot use fines, fees, suspensions, expulsions, or school or local law enforcement to enforce a device policy alone. A student cannot be suspended out of school or expelled solely for breaking that policy. Schools also cannot issue fines, fees, tickets, or citations as school discipline, or for certain device-policy and municipal-code violations at school or on school transportation. Schools can still require payment for lost, stolen, or damaged property. These protections do not cover separate gross misconduct, and some other legal violations are excluded.

New school-day rules for student devices

By the start of the 2027–2028 school year, Illinois districts and charter schools must generally bar personal device use from student arrival through dismissal. This includes lunch and passing periods, though high schools may leave those periods out. Rules must cover phones, tablets, laptops, gaming devices, and wearable tech, but not school-provided learning devices. Schools must explain storage, use consistent and age-appropriate responses, offer alternatives when a parent cannot pick up a device, and share the policy each year. Required exceptions cover prescribed health care, written learning or medical plans, English learning, necessary caregiving, and use required by law; schools may also allow approved learning use and emergencies. Qualifying existing restrictive policies can stay through the 2030–2031 school year, and the State Board must post a model policy by September 1, 2026.

Limited recovery for stored device damage

A school board and school staff are not liable for damage to a device stored in good faith under the board’s policy. This protection does not apply when school staff cause damage through willful or wanton conduct.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Cristina Castro

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adriane L. Johnson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Amy Briel

    Democratic • House

  • Anthony DeLuca

    Democratic • House

  • Camille Y. Lilly

    Democratic • House

  • Christopher Belt

    Democratic • Senate

  • Daniel Didech

    Democratic • House

  • Dave Syverson

    Republican • Senate

  • Dave Vella

    Democratic • House

  • David Koehler

    Democratic • Senate

  • Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    Democratic • Senate

  • Emanuel "Chris" Welch

    Democratic • House

  • Erica Harriss

    Republican • Senate

  • Fred Crespo

    Democratic • House

  • Gregg Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.

    Democratic • House

  • Janet Yang Rohr

    Democratic • House

  • Jason Plummer

    Republican • Senate

  • Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz

    Democratic • House

  • Julie A. Morrison

    Democratic • Senate

  • Justin Slaughter

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Stuart

    Democratic • House

  • Kimberly A. Lightford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kimberly Du Buclet

    Democratic • House

  • Laura Fine

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laura M. Murphy

    Democratic • Senate

  • Li Arellano, Jr.

    Republican • Senate

  • Margaret Croke

    Democratic • House

  • Mark L. Walker

    Democratic • Senate

  • Martha Deuter

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Edly-Allen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mary Gill

    Democratic • House

  • Matt Hanson

    Democratic • House

  • Meg Loughran Cappel

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michael W. Halpin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michelle Mussman

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Simmons

    Democratic • Senate

  • Paul Faraci

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ram Villivalam

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sally J. Turner

    Republican • Senate

  • Sharon Chung

    Democratic • House

  • Stephanie A. Kifowit

    Democratic • House

  • Sue Scherer

    Democratic • House

  • Suzy Glowiak Hilton

    Democratic • Senate

  • Willie Preston

    Democratic • Senate

  • Yolonda Morris

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 334 • No: 10

Senate vote • 5/31/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 4 Senate Concurs

Yes: 55 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/31/2026

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs

Yes: 55 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/28/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 4 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Education;

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/28/2026

House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Education;

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 102 • No: 3 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/25/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 4 Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee;

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote • 2/17/2026

Approved for Consideration Rules Committee;

Yes: 3 • No: 2

House vote • 5/7/2025

Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Education Policy Committee;

Yes: 10 • No: 1 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 55 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Do Pass as Amended Education;

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0657

    7/28/2026Senate
  2. Effective Date July 28, 2026

    7/28/2026Senate
  3. Governor Approved

    7/28/2026Senate
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/29/2026Senate
  5. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    6/10/2026Senate
  6. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Dave Syverson

    5/31/2026Senate
  7. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Fine

    5/31/2026Senate
  8. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sally J. Turner

    5/31/2026Senate
  9. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Erica Harriss

    5/31/2026Senate
  10. Passed Both Houses

    5/31/2026Senate
  11. Senate Concurs

    5/31/2026Senate
  12. House Floor Amendment No. 4 Senate Concurs 055-002-000

    5/31/2026Senate
  13. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs 055-002-000

    5/31/2026Senate
  14. House Floor Amendment No. 4 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Education; 014-000-000

    5/28/2026Senate
  15. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Education; 014-000-000

    5/28/2026Senate
  16. House Floor Amendment No. 4 Motion to Concur Assignments Referred to Education

    5/28/2026Senate
  17. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Assignments Referred to Education

    5/28/2026Senate
  18. House Floor Amendment No. 4 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments

    5/28/2026Senate
  19. House Floor Amendment No. 4 Motion to Concur Filed with Secretary Sen. Cristina Castro

    5/28/2026Senate
  20. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments

    5/28/2026Senate
  21. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Filed with Secretary Sen. Cristina Castro

    5/28/2026Senate
  22. Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1, 4 - April 28, 2026

    4/21/2026Senate
  23. Secretary's Desk - Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1, 4

    4/21/2026Senate
  24. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet

    4/16/2026House
  25. Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Slaughter

    4/16/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

  • Enrolled

  • House Amendment 1

  • House Amendment 2

  • House Amendment 3

  • House Amendment 4

  • Introduced

  • Senate Amendment 1

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