Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday proposed a statewide ban on cell phones in school classrooms, as part of an effort to improve students' performance and mental health by removing electronic devices that many have said have become major distractions.

Illinois was way ahead of the curve on the issue, but it then backpedaled. Legislation banned cellphones as early as the 1990s when cellular devices were new, expensive and though

Citing cyberbullying and learning distractions, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he will endorse legislation to ban cell phone use in the classroom statewide.