Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has amplified his support for mandates that would require school districts to limit cell phone use during classroom instruction.

The governor proposed the ban during his State of the State address last month and repeated the call Thursday at Centennial High School in Champaign.

The governor said cell phones are commonly cited as an impediment to classroom learning. He cited a Pew Research study that found that 72% of high school teachers identified cell phone distraction as a “major problem” in their classroom.

“Other independent evaluations have shown phones increase harm to social and mental health, foster academic dishonesty, and create distractions during instruction, all leading to poor academic performance and declines in well-being,” Pritzker said.

The governor said school districts in Champaign, Peoria and Springfield have already implemented policies to limit cell phone use.

Champaign Unit 4 School District Superintendent Sheila Boozer said teachers and families are pleased with the new guidelines implemented this school year.

“We believe this approach will help Unit 4 students enhance their concentration, reduce anxiety and ultimately improve their overall school experience. Since every student is provided with a Chromebook for schoolwork, a cell phone is not really necessary for their learning,” Boozer said.

Boozer said students in the district are adjusting to the new policy.

Pritzker encouraged support for House Bill 2975, filed by state Rep. Curtis Tarver, D-Chicago, and Senate Bill 2427, filed by state Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin.

The measures would require school districts to limit cell phone use during classroom instruction. Pritzker insisted there that was still local control.

“We’re setting simply a minimum standard. We want students to be able to pay attention in class to their teacher, to learn in class, to work together with other students and not be on their phones while they’re trying to learn,” Pritzker said.

Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen said the proposals are not big-government mandates.

“This legislation instead recognizes that we locally know best how to implement a cell phone classroom ban in our district,” Feinen said.

The proposed ban includes several exceptions, including emergencies or in response to imminent threats. Also exempt would be situations when a teacher or instructor has authorized the student to use a wireless communication device for educational purposes, 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 to fulfill an Individualized Education Plan or 504 plan.

The Pew study found that, although most parents favored banning cell phone use in classrooms, a majority of those opposed felt they should be able to reach their child when needed. Others felt the ban would be difficult for teachers to enforce.

Pritzker’s proposal would restrict school personnel from using certain disciplinary measures to enforce the cell phone ban.

“In order to prevent excessive punitive measures, enforcement of these policies via fines, fees, or ticketing, or via deployment of a School Resource Officer or a local law enforcement officer are prohibited,” a statement from the governor’s office said.