(105 ILCS 5/34-18.9) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.9)
Sec. 34-18.9.
Electronic paging devices on school property.
(a) The
General Assembly finds and declares that the educational development of all
persons to the limits of their capacities is a fundamental goal of the
people of this State, that to achieve such goal it is essential to provide
a safe and secure learning environment within the public schools, and that
the unrestricted and unregulated use by students of pocket pagers and
similar electronic paging devices on school grounds or in school buildings
which are owned, occupied or leased by the board of education for school
purposes and activities adversely affects the educational environment,
welfare and safety of students enrolled in the public schools, in that
pocket pagers and similar electronic paging devices are being regularly
used for the conduct of unlawful activities during school hours and on
school property, including activities directly related to the unlawful
possession, sale, delivery or other trafficking in drugs or other
substances which constitute a "controlled substance" as that term is
defined in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.
It is the purpose and intention of the General Assembly, in enacting this
legislation, to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of such unlawful
activities during school hours and on school property by restricting and
regulating student use or possession of pocket pagers and similar
electronic paging devices as provided in this Section, and by providing for
the imposition of appropriate discipline and sanctions for any violation
of the provisions of this Section.
(b) No student shall use or have in his or her possession any pocket
pager or similar electronic paging device while in any school building or
on any school property, during regular school hours or at any other time,
unless the use or possession of such device by such student has first been
expressly authorized by the principal acting in accordance with
standards developed as provided in subsection (c) for the granting of
approved exceptions to the general prohibition of this Section against such
use or possession.
(c) The board of education shall develop and promulgate
written standards, which shall be furnished by the board of education to
each principal, under which a principal:
(1) may authorize the use or possession of a pocket pager or similar electronic paging |