summary
Introduced
02/07/2025
02/07/2025
In Committee
02/07/2025
02/07/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the Let America Read Act. Provides that the State Board of Education with oversight over the instructional materials used in public schools shall create a grievance procedure for challenges to instructional materials. Provides that a school district shall designate a Review Committee to review all challenges to instructional materials. Provides that for each formal challenge, the Review Committee shall review the instructional material with the use of clear, objective review criteria created by the State Board. Requires the school district to create a Formal Grievance Procedure for Instructional Materials Form. Provides that upon receipt of a formal complaint, the Review Committee shall hold a minimum of 2 public meetings during a school year to review complaints, welcome input from the public, and generate recommendations to the final decision maker. Provides that the challenged instructional material shall remain accessible in the classroom pending a final determination. Provides that if the challenged instructional material faces a successful objection, then the removal of the instructional material takes effect the school year after the year in which the complaint was filed. Provides that if an instructional material is formally challenged and a final determination is reached, the instructional material shall not be challenged and reviewed by the Review Committee for 3 school years. Grants rulemaking authority to the State Board. Makes a conforming change in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.
AI Summary
This bill creates the Let America Read Act, which establishes a comprehensive process for challenging instructional materials in public schools. The bill requires each school district to form a Review Committee composed of librarians, teachers, administrators, students, and community members to evaluate challenges to instructional materials. Anyone with a connection to the school district (students, parents, teachers, or administrators) can file a formal grievance using a specific form that requires detailed explanation of their objections. The Review Committee must hold at least two public meetings to review challenges and will use clear, objective criteria created by the State Board of Education to evaluate materials, including factors like accuracy, age-appropriateness, educational importance, and expert recommendations. Importantly, challenged materials will remain accessible in classrooms during the review process, and if successfully objected to, will only be removed the following school year. The bill also stipulates that once a final determination is made about a specific instructional material, it cannot be challenged again for three school years. The State Board of Education is granted rulemaking authority to implement the Act, and the process is designed to be transparent, allowing for public input while providing a structured approach to addressing concerns about educational materials.
Sponsors (11)
Mike Simmons (D)*,
Christopher Belt (D),
Javier Cervantes (D),
Mary Edly-Allen (D),
Graciela Guzmán (D),
Adriane Johnson (D),
Robert Peters (D),
Willie Preston (D),
Rachel Ventura (D),
Karina Villa (D),
Mark Walker (D),
Last Action
Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Willie Preston (on 04/04/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
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State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2124&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/SB/10400SB2124.htm |
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