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.