District keeps stricter phone rules for students despite new Illinois law

Doctor Jordan, the district superintendent, told the board the district’s policy remains more restrictive than the recently enacted state law. “Our cell phone policy is aligned with the recently enacted Illinois cell phone law signed by governor JB Pritzker,” he said, and then clarified the district’s approach: high‑school students may access phones only during the lunch period and only in designated lunch areas, while elementary and middle school devices “must be placed in the student backpacks or lockers for the entirety of the day.”

The superintendent noted the Illinois law allows districts to permit phone use during passing periods but does not require it; Springfield SD 186 will not adopt that option at this time. The board heard no objections during the superintendent’s report, and Doctor Jordan framed the policy as supporting “focused learning environments while providing students with limited opportunities to access their devices during the school day.”