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HB 2997

SCH CD-ARAB AMERICAN HISTORY

104th Regular Session Introduced by Diane Blair-Sherlock and 23 co-sponsors

Illinois will require public elementary and high schools to teach Arab American history starting 2026-27, with local boards setting minimum time and optional online delivery.

Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam
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Bill Summary · HB 2997

Summary — HB 2997 (SCH CD — Arab American History)

Status: Introduced by Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid; Passed House (4/10/2025); sent to Senate (4/14/2025). Added alternate chief co-sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam (10/15/2025). Effective date: upon becoming law.

Purpose

HB 2997 requires Illinois public elementary schools and high schools to include a unit of instruction on Arab American history beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. The intent is to ensure students learn about the historical experiences and contributions of Arab Americans—especially in Illinois and the Midwest—from the 19th century onward, and to promote respect for racial and ethnic dignity.

Key provisions

  • Curriculum requirement: Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, every public elementary and high school must include a unit of instruction studying Arab American history, including:
    • History of Arab Americans in Illinois and the Midwest;
    • Contributions of Arab Americans (from 19th century onward) in government, arts, humanities, sciences, and to economic, cultural, social, and political development.
    • The study is framed as affirming students’ commitment to respect dignity of all races and to eschew discrimination.
  • Placement in School Code: The engrossed/amended versions integrate the Arab American requirement into Section 27‑20.8 (the existing Asian American history study statute) as a new subsection (a-5). Earlier drafts also proposed a standalone Section 27‑23.19.
  • Instructional materials: The State Superintendent of Education may prepare and make available instructional materials (explicitly including materials established by Public Broadcasting Service) as guidelines for developing the unit.
  • Local flexibility: Each local school board determines the minimum amount of instructional time that constitutes the required “unit of instruction.”
  • Compliance and oversight: The regional superintendent of schools will monitor district compliance during the regional superintendent’s annual compliance visit.
  • Delivery options: A school may satisfy the requirement via an online program or course.
  • Effective immediately upon becoming law.

Who is affected

  • Directly applies to all Illinois public elementary schools and high schools.
  • Affects school districts, local school boards (which set minimum time), regional superintendents (monitoring), and the State Superintendent (optional materials).
  • Indirectly affects teachers (curriculum development/implementation), students, and educational material providers.

Legislative/timeline notes

  • Introduced in House (filed 2/6/2025). Passed the House on 4/10/2025 (Third Reading 67–35).
  • Referred to Senate committees/assignments beginning 4/14/2025. Multiple amendments and a House Floor Amendment were adopted prior to House passage.
  • Legislative record includes notes that the State Mandates Fiscal Note was considered inapplicable; a fiscal note request appears in the file history.

Potential impact

  • Adds a new, statewide curricular requirement with local control over time allocation and flexible delivery options (in-person or online).
  • Requires modest administrative oversight by regional superintendents and potential development/adoption of instructional materials by the State Superintendent; any costs for materials, training, or curriculum development would be borne at local or state discretion depending on implementation choices.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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