104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4143
 
Introduced 10/15/2025, by Rep. Anthony DeLuca
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/27-20.9 new
    Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Requires every public elementary school and high school to include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Italian American history. Contains provisions governing this instruction. Effective immediately.


LRB104 14870 LNS 28014 b

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT
MAY APPLY
					
 
 
A BILL FOR
 
HB4143LRB104 14870 LNS 28014 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 
527-20.9 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/27-20.9 new)
7    Sec. 27-20.9. Italian American history study.
8    (a) Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, every public 
9elementary school and high school shall include in its 
10curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of 
11Italian American history, including the history of Italian 
12Americans in the State and the Midwest, as well as the 
13contributions of Italian Americans toward advancing civil 
14rights from the 19th century onward. These events shall 
15include the contributions made by individual Italian Americans 
16in government and the arts, humanities, and sciences, as well 
17as the contributions of Italian American communities to the 
18economic, cultural, social, and political development of the 
19United States. The studying of this material shall constitute 
20an affirmation by students of their commitment to respect the 
21dignity of all races and peoples and to forever eschew every 
22form of discrimination in their lives and careers.
23    (b) The State Superintendent of Education may prepare and 
 
 
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1make available to all school boards instructional materials, 
2including those established by the Public Broadcasting 
3Service, that may be used as guidelines for development of a 
4unit of instruction under this Section. However, each school 
5board shall itself determine the minimum amount of 
6instructional time that qualifies as a unit of instruction 
7satisfying the requirements of this Section.
8    (c) The regional superintendent of schools shall monitor a 
9school district's compliance with this Section's curricular 
10requirements during his or her annual compliance visit.
11    (d) A school may meet the requirements of this Section 
12through an online program or course.
 
13    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
14becoming law.