Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is aiming to improve student achievement, social interaction and the mental health of public school students by proposing a statewide ban on cellphones in classrooms, an idea that is rapidly gaining traction nationally regardless of political persuasion.
The Democrat's top education aide, Martin Torres, said Pritzker is expected to endorse “screen-free schools” during his combined State of the State/Budget address at noon Wednesday.
Legislation introduced in both houses of the General Assembly would require school districts to set policies that ban personal wireless devices during class time, with notable exceptions, create a means for secure but accessible storage of phones and tablets, and review those guidelines at least every three years.
Eight states have policies that ban or limit schoolhouse cellphone use. Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio. Iowa, Kentucky and Michigan are among the 15 states where bans or other restrictions have been proposed.
The Pew Research Center has found that seven in 10 high school teachers in the U.S. consider cellphone distraction a major classroom problem.
Torres, Pritzker's deputy governor for education, told The Associated Press that at least 10 Illinois school districts have adopted screen-free policies, and they have had positive results.
“Students are more engaged, they’re more attentive in class. There’s improved participation in classroom dynamics,” Torres said. “This is a proposal that’s going to help teachers with instruction. It’s going to reduce screen time. It’s going to reduce social media exposure. And there’s research that suggests that social media is linked with anxiety, depression, body dissatisfaction.”
The legislation, which would require policies be in place by the 2026-2027 school year, has enough flexibility in the plan to allow school districts to develop a policy that best suits them.
Pritzker's idea is to ban wireless devices during instructional periods unless there is an emergency or a need to respond to a threat. They would also be allowed when a teacher approves their use, when a physician deems it essential for a student, for an individual special education plan or to help English learners.
This school year, Peoria schools adopted a plan in which each student is issued a neoprene pouch with a magnetized lock that only teachers or administrators can open. Midway through the school year, a survey of 8,000 students from grades 5 to 12 found they had more focus, more engagement and reduced distractions, Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat said.
She said that in an email, a teacher reported: “I am looking into students' eyes who have never looked up from a screen before.”
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 thought to be the domain of drug dealers. As technology improved, they were seen as vital links to the outside, particularly family, and in 2002, the Legislature reversed itself and approved their presence in schools.
Despite being turned off and locked up, Peoria students retain ready access when necessary, Desmoulin-Kherat said, noting one of the few concerns parents had was being able to reach their children in an emergency.
“Just like the old days, you can call the office,” Desmoulin-Kherat said. “You can send an email. You don't need a cellphone to be able to communicate with your family.”
FILE - A phone holder hangs in a classroom at Delta High School, on Feb. 23, 2024, in Delta, Utah, at a rural school, where there is a strict policy requiring students to check their phones at the door when entering every class. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
FILE - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during the Democratic National Convention, in Chicago, Aug. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2025--
Silver Deliverer, the highly anticipated independent sixth studio album from platinum-selling sister duo Aly & AJ, is out today. A career-defining body of work, Silver Deliverer blends sun-drenched California rock, country-tinged folk, and warm, analog textures into an honest and deeply personal album that feels like a love letter to growing up, growing older, and growing free.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250502908526/en/
Out just in time for summer and building momentum into the fall, the release also marks the announcement of Aly & AJ’s headlining must see North American Silver Deliverer Tour, presented by Concerts West / AEG Presents. The tour launches Friday, September 19 in Los Angeles, concluding in Santa Barbara on Sunday, November 9. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 9 at 10am local time HERE. Acclaimed singer-songwriter Amanda Shires will grace the bill and support across all dates.
Arriving after the critical acclaim of their 2023 album With Love From, Silver Deliverer sees Aly & AJ embracing full creative control and crafting their most authentic, self-assured and spiritually resonant record yet. Written and recorded in Topanga Canyon, the album draws from the Laurel Canyon movement while sounding unmistakably fresh and modern. It marks a striking return for the beloved artists: bold, unfiltered, and wholly their own. Brimming with poetic warmth and wisdom that the sister duo has honed over the years, Silver Deliverer reflects on maturing, sisterhood, and self-actualization.
“After 20 years of making music together as sisters we’ve created our most revealing and poignant album to date. Motherhood, personal loss, and traumatic events have rewoven our tapestry of sisterhood. And we’ve done our best to write about it. We hope this music is something to reach for when you’re lost and looking for some deliverance.”
Produced in part by longtime collaborators, including GRAMMY nominated Jonathan Wilson, Silver Deliverer captures Aly & AJ’s signature harmonies across a soundscape rich in organic instrumentation and golden-era storytelling. The album features standout singles including the recent “Dandelions”, the haunting “If You Get Lonely” and “Next to Nothing,” which has received acclaim for Aly & AJ’s iconic harmonies and makes audiences feel like they are “living in the song while listening to it”. The shimmering lead single from the album, “What It FeelsLike”, has already amassed over one million streams on Spotify and over 200K views of its official music video, solidifying the sisters’ ongoing cultural relevance and deepening resonance with fans both old and new.
Presales for the dynamic Silver Deliverer Tour tour begin on Tuesday, May 6 at 10am local time, followed by the general on sale on Friday, May 9 at 10am local time. For Los Angeles fans, the presale will be on Friday, May 16 at 10am PT followed by the general on sale on Tuesday, May 20 at 10am PT. Please see all cities, dates, and venues further below.
In addition to the forthcoming tour, Aly & AJ have been busy kicking off their new era with a slew of high profile performances and major festival appearances including SXSW, Willie Nelson’s Luck Festival, the Sunset Festival and Stagecoach. This is only the beginning as the duo prepares to kick off the album release with performances at Bonnaroo Festival and Milwaukee’s Summerfest.
ALY & AJ SILVER DELIVERER TOUR DATES
September 19 - Los Angeles, CA - Venue Announced Soon
September 25 - Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
September 26 - Seattle, WA - The Paramount Theatre
September 27 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre
September 30 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
October 1 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Union
October 2 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
October 4 - Minneapolis, MN - Skyway Theatre
October 5 - Kansas City, MO - The Midland Theatre
October 7 - St. Louis, MO - The Factory
October 8 - Fort Wayne, IN - Clyde Theatre
October 10 - Chicago, IL - The Salt Shed
October 11 - Columbus, OH - KEMBA Live!
October 12 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre
October 14 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
October 15 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall
October 17 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
October 19 - Boston, MA - Roadrunner
October 21 - Philadelphia, PA - Franklin Music Hall
October 22 - Washington, D.C. - The Anthem
October 24 - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium
October 25 - Jacksonville, FL - FIVE
October 26 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
October 28 - Pompano Beach, FL - Pompano Beach Amphitheater
October 29 - Atlanta, GA - The Eastern
October 31 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall
November 1 - Austin, TX - Paramount Theatre
November 2 - Dallas, TX - The Bomb Factory
November 4 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre
November 5 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey’s Concerts by The Bay - On Sale Now
November 8 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
November 9 - Santa Barbara, CA - Arlington Theatre
ABOUT ALY & AJ:
Aly & AJ, comprised of sisters Aly and AJ Michalka, have captivated audiences around the world with their stirring harmonies, relatable lyrics, and a unique blend of pop and indie-rock influences. From their early days as Disney stars to their triumphant return to the music scene as independent artists, Aly & AJ have evolved into a force to be reckoned with, transcending genres and leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Their previous album With Love From recorded with a live band at the famous Sunset Sound studio, showcased their genre-spanning artistry, incorporating Americana, folk, country and indie pop, featuring an array of reflective ballads and anthemic tracks. Critics have raved over the album, with Billboard claiming the track “After Hours” “pour[s] one out for the night owls,” while Rolling Stone highlighted and approved the song “Baby Lay Your Head Down.” The California native sisters took the album on the road on their nationwide “With Love From Tour,” which included a milestone performance at Los Angeles’ legendary Greek Theatre for the first time for an unforgettable evening of powerhouse vocals, electrifying performances, and a nostalgic celebration of their remarkable discography.
Aly & AJ first burst onto the scene in the mid-2000s with their debut album Into the Rush in 2005, featuring the hit single " Rush ". Their music resonated with a generation, blending pop sensibilities with their innate ability to craft infectious melodies. Their roles in Disney Channel projects like "Phil of the Future" and "Cow Belles,” catapulted them into the hearts of young audiences worldwide. The release of their second album, Insomniatic, in 2007 showcased their growth as artists, exploring deeper themes and further curating their musical identity.
Spawning hits like " Potential Breakup Song " and " Chemicals React, " Aly & AJ ignited the soundtracks of our lives and solidified their status as superstars.
After a decade-long hiatus, the sisters officially returned to the music scene in 2017 embracing both their roots and newfound maturity, seamlessly transitioning from pop sensations to indie darlings. Their EP " Ten Years " marked a triumphant return to their original sound, featuring the viral hit "Take Me." Their subsequent releases, including the critically acclaimed EP " Sanctuary " in 2019, showcased a powerful blend of synth-pop, dreamy melodies, and introspective lyrics that resonated with fans old and new. As the duo entered the 2020s, their music continued to evolve, delving deeper into themes of love, mental health, and personal growth. Shortly after, they released their first studio album in 14 years, a touch of the beatgets you up on your feet gets you out and then into the sun. This album contains tracks like "Listen!!!" and "Slow Dancing," showcased a newfound vulnerability and an unapologetic embrace of their true selves. Billboard included the album on their list of best albums of the first half of 2021. It was also listed on The Guardian’s list of the 50 best albums of 2021.
CONNECT WITH ALY & AJ:
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Aly & AJ 32-City North American Tour Launches September 2025
Aly & AJ Release New Album Silver Deliverer
