Both Democrats and Republicans have taken up the cause, reflecting a growing consensus that phones are bad for kids’ mental health and take their focus away from learning, even as some researchers say the issue is less clear-cut

Students in Downers Grove Grade School District 58 are no longer be allowed to carry cell phones during the school day.

Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Tanisha Cannon discuss proposed changes to school funding, diversity initiatives, and technology policies from the Department of Education with Herald-News Reporter Jessie Molloy.

Herald-News reporter Jessie Molloy discusses Department of Education proposed changes and possible funding cuts with Joliet Township High School District 204 Superintendent Dr. Karla Guseman.

Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202's Superintendent Dr. Glenn Wood discusses the district's contingency plans for lost funding following a series of new rules from the Department of Education with Herald-News reporter Jessie Molloy.

Jessie Molloy discusses recent changes at the department of Education with Lockport Township High School District 205 Superintendent Dr. Robert McBride.

Public schools in Illinois could be one step closer to adopting a statewide cellphone policy that bans the use of mobile devices during classroom instruction time. What do DeKalb and Sycamore school leaders think of the proposal?

Senate Bill 2427, sponsored by Sen. Christina Castro, D-Elgin, would require all school boards to adopt policies prohibiting the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time

Pritzker’s proposal would include several exemptions to such a ban, including in the event of an emergency

Gov. JB Pritzker will propose a statewide ban on cellphones in classroom during his combined State of the State/Budget address

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will propose a statewide ban on cellphones in classroom during his combined State of the State/Budget address Wednesday

As Will County schools begin a new year this month, we took a look at cell phone policies for students at Joliet area schools districts. Here's what we found.

Some McHenry County high schools already had policies about keeping cellphones off and out of sight – but now they're enforcing them more strictly as evidence mounts about potential harms, especially from social media.

The handheld devices that once were used for communication only now have the world available at the touch of a button. And some educators, administrators and parents across DeKalb County are debating the role of cellphones in schools.

Students can bring cell phones to most DuPage County schools, but district policies prohibit them from using them during the school day

As restrictions in cellphone use increase across the US, local educators discuss what has been done and what could be done in the future to keep the students focused in the classroom.

La Salle County schools have their own approaches to cellphone use in schools, as calls for restrictions on cellphone use in schools have increased in the past year nationally.

Here is what Kane County parents should know about their school districts’ cellphone policies before sending their students back to school this fall.

As Kendall County students prepare get back the books, school districts are mostly keeping their cellphones policies unchanged from previous years. However, there has been increased focus on these policies.

Restrictions on cellphone use in schools have increased in the past year across the nation as phone use rises and studies indicate the negative impact of social media on youths. Here is how some Sauk Valley-area school districts are handling the cellphone debate.

La Salle-Peru High School opened the new school year with a new cellphone policy to help eliminate classroom distractions, confiscating 10 cellphones on the first day and another 10 the second.