summary
Introduced
02/07/2025
02/07/2025
In Committee
03/21/2025
03/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, every public elementary school and high school shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Latina and Latino history, including the history of Latinas and Latinos in Illinois and the Midwest, as well as the contributions of Latinas and Latinos toward advancing civil rights from the 19th century onward. Provides that these events shall include the contributions made by individual Latinas and Latinos in government and the arts, humanities, and sciences, as well as the contributions of Latina and Latino communities to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of the United States. Provides that the studying of this material shall constitute an affirmation by students of their commitment to respect the dignity of all races and peoples and to forever eschew every form of discrimination in their lives and careers. Establishes requirements for the State Superintendent of Education, regional superintendents, and each school board concerning instructional materials and guidelines. Permits a school to meet requirements through an online program or course.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Illinois School Code to require all public elementary and high schools to include a unit of Latina and Latino studies in their curriculum starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The mandatory curriculum will cover the history of Latinas and Latinos in Illinois and the Midwest, focusing on their contributions to civil rights from the 19th century onward. The instruction will highlight individual Latina and Latino achievements in various fields including government, arts, humanities, and sciences, as well as the broader community contributions to the economic, cultural, social, and political development of the United States. Beyond historical education, the bill emphasizes that studying this material is intended to help students affirm their commitment to respecting human dignity and rejecting all forms of discrimination. The legislation establishes requirements for educational administrators, including the State Superintendent of Education, regional superintendents, and school boards, to develop appropriate instructional materials and guidelines, and allows schools to meet these requirements through online programs or courses if desired.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments (on 02/26/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...