Illinois governor joins national trend, proposes statewide cellphone ban to boost students’ focus and mental health

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is joining a national movement by proposing a statewide ban on cellphones in classrooms to improve student focus, mental health, and social interaction. The legislation, which could be implemented by the 2026-2027 school year, has already seen positive results in several Illinois districts. Supported by research linking social media to anxiety, the ban aims to reduce distractions and promote engagement, with many other states considering similar measures, as reported by the Associated Press.