Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) is expected to sign off on a measure that state lawmakers have passed that would require public schools across the state to teach lessons on Midwestern Native American history, starting in the 2024-25 school year, according to the Chicago Tribune.
“Gov. Pritzker believes that history should be taught in a way that conveys the story of our country and state as it actually happened,” a spokesperson for Pritzker told the Chicago Tribune. “Including Native American history in the classroom… ensures students are given the tools to understand and empathize with one another.”
The legislation passed the Illinois House earlier this month by a by a 44-8 vote, and it stipulates that all public elementary and high school social studies courses that cover American history or government must include instruction on “events of the Native American experience and Native American history within the Midwest and this state,” the Tribune reported.
The bill is the latest in a recent series of history requirement passed by the Illinois Legislature, including one in 2021 requiring that Asian-American history be taught, making Illinois the first state in the nation to do so.
The curriculum will be developed with consultation from members of the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative. The bill also requires the State Education Equity Committee to include a member from an organization who works for the improvement of Native Americans, as well as an “individual with a disability” or who’s a member of a statewide advocacy group on behalf of individuals with disabilities.
State Sen. Seth Lewis (R-Bloomingdale) opposed the legislation, saying there are already too many requirements being placed on the curriculum.
“There are 134 standards that a kindergarten teacher must teach throughout the year,” he said, according to the Chicago Tribune. “Our teachers are coming out of COVID. We are struggling to teach basic math, writing, reading. When is this institution going to give our educators a break?”
