HB2509 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 09786 AXK 54887 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB2509

Introduced , by Rep. Deanne M. Mazzochi

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 205/9.39 new

Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that no later than December 31, 2020, the Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education, must develop a 4-year western civilization degree program that shall result in a student receiving a bachelor's degree in western civilization. Provides that a student in the degree program must complete the first year of the program in high school, the second and third year of the program at a public community college in this State, and the final year of the program at a public university in this State. Requires the Board, in collaboration with the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education, to develop the curriculum of the degree program, which must include course instruction on philosophy, literature, history, art, and architecture from various periods of western civilization. Provides that any university that has a postgraduate degree program must accept a western civilization degree awarded to a student under the program to satisfy any requirements of a bachelor's degree. Requires the Board, in consultation with the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education, to adopt rules.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended by adding Section 9.39 as follows:

(110 ILCS 205/9.39 new)

Sec. 9.39. Western civilization degree.

(a) No later than December 31, 2020, the Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education, must develop a 4-year western civilization degree program that shall result in a student receiving a bachelor's degree in western civilization. A student in the degree program must complete the first year of the program in high school, the second and third year of the program at a public community college in this State, and the final year of the program at a public university in this State.

(b) The Board, in collaboration with the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education, must develop the curriculum of the degree program under this Section, which must include course instruction on philosophy, literature, history, art, and architecture from various periods of western civilization. The cost for a student to enroll in the degree program may not exceed $20,000 for the entire 4-year period.

(c) Any university that has a postgraduate degree program must accept a western civilization degree awarded to a student under the program to satisfy any requirements of a bachelor's degree.

(d) The Board, in consultation with the Illinois Community College Board and the State Board of Education, must adopt rules to implement this Section.