SB 2427 Illinois Senate · 104th Regular Session

SCH CD-WIRELESS COMM DEVICE

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.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Jul 2026
Introduced Apr 9, 2025 Signed Jul 28, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 6 edits · Jul 28, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was finalized to establish statewide rules limiting student use of wireless devices in schools. The policy now applies to all school districts and charter schools, with a delayed implementation date of the 2027-2028 school year. The rules define 'school time' more broadly than just instructional periods and introduce new exceptions for student caregivers and updated medical exemptions.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include charter schools alongside traditional school districts, and the definition of restricted time was broadened to include recess, lunch, and passing periods.
TIMELINE

The deadline for schools to adopt the wireless device policy was extended from the 2026-2027 school year to the 2027-2028 school year.

DEFINITION

The definition of restricted time was changed from 'instructional time' to 'school time,' which now includes recess, lunch, and passing periods.

ELIGIBILITY

A new exception was added to allow wireless device use for student caregivers who are routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member.

REQUIREMENT

Schools are now required to include guidance on secure device storage within school buildings and to state the importance of uniform enforcement in their policies.

New requirements mandate input from collective bargaining agents, administrators, and parents in policy development, and provide an alternative retrieval option for parents unable to appear in person.

ENFORCEMENT

The list of prohibited enforcement actions was expanded to explicitly include suspensions and expulsions, though these remain allowed for other gross misconduct.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 9, 2025 · House Apr 16, 2026

How they voted

540
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 58
Apr 9, 2025
D Democratic39
35 Yea 4
89% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
100
Key actions
17
Committee
22
Amendments
14
Jul 28, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Approved
upper
May 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Both Houses
upper
May 31, 2026
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 4 Senate Concurs 055-002-000
upper
May 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs 055-002-000
upper
May 28, 2026
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 4 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Education; 014-000-000
upper
May 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Education; 014-000-000
upper
May 28, 2026
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 4 Motion to Concur Assignments Referred to Education
upper
May 28, 2026
Committee
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Assignments Referred to Education
upper
May 28, 2026
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 4 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments
upper
May 28, 2026
Committee
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Introduced
Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1, 4 - April 28, 2026
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Introduced
Secretary's Desk - Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1, 4
upper
Apr 16, 2026
Amended
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Tabled
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Amended
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Tabled
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 102-003-001
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 4 Adopted
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 4 Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 012-000-000
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 4 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 4 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 4 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Michelle Mussman
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Michelle Mussman
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Approved for Consideration Rules Committee; 003-002-000
lower
Jun 1, 2025
Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
lower
May 23, 2025
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
May 23, 2025
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Michelle Mussman
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 010-001-001
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Education Policy Committee; by Voice Vote
lower
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Committee
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Michelle Mussman
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Committee
Assigned to Education Policy Committee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Arrived in House
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading - Passed; 055-000-000
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Do Pass as Amended Education; 014-000-000
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Introduced
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Cristina Castro
upper
2 primary · 43 co-sponsors

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