Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB0383

Amends the Historic Preservation Agency Act. Creates the Amistad Commission. Contains provisions concerning the membership and duties of the Commission. These duties include: (i) providing assistance and advice to schools within the State with respect to the implementation of education, awareness programs, textbooks, and educational materials concerned with the African slave trade, slavery in America, the vestiges of slavery in this country, and the contributions of African-Americans to our society; (ii) surveying and cataloging the extent and breadth of education concerning these topics; (iii) acting as a liaison to textbook publishers and others in forming a curriculum on these subjects; (iv) coordinating events and programs on slavery and related issues; and (iv) developing with the cooperation of the State Board of Education, curriculum guidelines for the teaching of information on slavery topics and issues. Authorizes the Commission to call upon any department, office, division, or agency of the State, or of any county, municipality, or school district of the State, to supply such data, program reports, and other information, personnel, and assistance as it deems necessary to discharge its responsibilities under this Act. Provides that the State Board of Education shall assist the Commission in a variety of ways, including by: (i) marketing and distributing information and materials on slavery topics to schools, and (ii) conducting at least one teacher workshop annually on slavery issues. Requires the Commission to make biannual reports on its activities to the Governor and the General Assembly. Effective immediately.

Provides that the President of the Senate shall appoint 2 members of the Commission and the Minority Leader of the Senate one member. Authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives to appoint 2 members of the commission and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives to appoint one member. Provides that members of the Commission may obtain reimbursement for travel, meals, and lodging in accordance with the rules of the Governor's Travel Control Board.

Further amends the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Act. Provides that Commission guidelines for the teaching of information on the African slave trade, slavery in America, the vestiges of slavery in this country, and the contributions of African-Americans to our country shall be made available to every school board. Authorizes the Commission to call upon appropriate school personnel (rather than personnel) of any department, office, municipality, or school district of the State for the discharge of Commission responsibilities and to cooperate with the Commission in accomplishing the purposes of the Act. Amends the School Code. Sets forth that the State curriculum on Black History shall include the history of the African slave trade, slavery in America, and the vestiges of slavery in this country. Provides that prepared materials made available by the State Superintendent of Education on this unit of instruction shall include the materials established by the Amistad Commission.

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