HB5858 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 29640 RJT 41667 b

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.

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 School Code is amended by adding Section 27-23.17 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-23.17 new)

Sec. 27-23.17. Extended high school civics and an elections education.

(a) In addition to the instruction required to be provided under Sections 27-3 and 27-22, a school district maintaining any of grades 9 through 12 shall offer an extended course of study for students in these grades 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.

This course of study may also include a practical component, such as a mock election.