102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5858
 
Introduced 1/4/2023, by Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
105 ILCS 5/27-23.17 new

     Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that a school district shall offer an extended course of study for students in grades 9 through 12 that includes instruction in: (1) the elections process for this State, for other states, and for the federal government, including instruction on the mechanisms in place to implement fair and honest elections for public offices; (2) distinguishing between ethical candidates and campaign practices and dirty, attack-style campaign practices; (3) the limitations of the regulation of truth in political advertising and political speech by the Federal Communications Commission and other governmental bodies; (4) identifying and understanding the role of funding sources and dark money in campaigns; (5) fostering critical thinking skills when reviewing electoral communications, researching candidates, and deciding whom to support; (6) seeing the importance of fairness and integrity in political campaigns, engaging with people with opposing viewpoints respectfully, and participating in elections as a part of an informed electorate; (7) evaluating the opportunities and limitations of participation in elections, voting, and the electoral process and the impact disenfranchisement has on elections, voting, and the electoral process; and (8) analyzing constitutions, laws, and agreements to determine the degree to which they achieve justice, equality, and liberty and the common good.
  


LRB102 29640 RJT 41667 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 

  
HB5858LRB102 29640 RJT 41667 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning education.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended  by adding Section 
527-23.17 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/27-23.17 new)
7    Sec. 27-23.17. Extended high school civics and an 
8elections education.
9    (a) In addition to the instruction required to be provided 
10under Sections 27-3 and 27-22, a school district maintaining 
11any of grades 9 through 12 shall offer an extended course of 
12study for students in these grades that includes instruction 
13in:
14        (1) the elections process for this State, for other 
15    states, and for the federal government, including 
16    instruction on the mechanisms in place to implement fair 
17    and honest elections for public offices;
18        (2) distinguishing between ethical candidates and 
19    campaign practices and
dirty, attack-style campaign 
20    practices;
21        (3) the limitations of the regulation of truth in 
22    political
advertising and political speech by the Federal 
23    Communications Commission and
other governmental bodies;
 
 
HB5858- 2 -LRB102 29640 RJT 41667 b

1        (4) identifying and understanding the role of funding 
2    sources and dark money
in campaigns;
3        (5) fostering critical thinking skills when reviewing 
4    electoral communications,
researching candidates, and 
5    deciding whom to support;
6        (6) seeing the importance of fairness and integrity in 
7    political campaigns,
engaging with people with opposing 
8    viewpoints respectfully, and
participating in elections as 
9    a part of an informed electorate; 
10        (7) evaluating the opportunities and limitations of 
11    participation in elections, voting, and the electoral 
12    process and the impact disenfranchisement has on 
13    elections, voting, and the electoral process; and 
14        (8) analyzing constitutions, laws, and agreements to 
15    determine the degree to which they achieve justice, 
16    equality, and liberty and the common good. 
17    This course of study may also include a practical 
18component, such as a mock election.