Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade beginning with the 2028-2029 school year must successfully complete either 2 years of foreign language courses or at least 2 years of career-focused coursework that has been authorized by the State Board of Education as meeting the requirements for a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act (rather than requiring the successful completion of 2 years of foreign language courses). Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that a public university may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the university permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Effective immediately.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade beginning with the 2028-2029 school year must successfully complete either 2 years of foreign language courses or at least 2 years of coursework that has been authorized by the State Board of Education as meeting the requirements for an approved career and technical education course (rather than requiring the successful completion of 2 years of foreign language courses). Provides that a pupil who satisfies either course requirement is deemed to have satisfied the requirement for one year of music, art, foreign language, career and technical education, or forensic speech. Effective immediately.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 105 ILCS 5/27, 110 ILCS 305/8, 110 ILCS 520/8, 110 ILCS 660/5, 110 ILCS 665/10, 110 ILCS 670/15, 110 ILCS 675/20, 110 ILCS 680/25, 110 ILCS 685/30, 110 ILCS 690/35
Engrossed: 105 ILCS 5/27
Enrolled: 105 ILCS 5/27