IllinoisSB3301104th General Assembly (2025–2026)Senate

SCH CD-EXEMPT FOREIGN LANG REQ

Sponsored By: Chris Balkema (Republican)

In Committee

Summary

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that a school district is exempt from requiring pupils, beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, to complete 2 years of foreign language in order to graduate if the school district sends a written request to waive the requirement to the State Board of Education and includes evidence in the request that the school district does not have the employees necessary to provide 2 years of foreign language education to all pupils in secondary school within the school district. Provides that after receiving a written request from a school district, the State Superintendent of Education shall approve the request if the evidence included in the request is determined by the State Superintendent to be sufficient. Provides that a pupil is exempt from the 2-year foreign language requirement if the pupil or a school counselor, in consultation with the pupil, develops a postsecondary plan that is centered around postsecondary opportunities that do not include postsecondary education through an institution of higher education. Provides that the pupil or the school counselor shall send the postsecondary plan to the superintendent of the school district in order to be exempt from the 2-year foreign language requirement. Effective July 1, 2026.

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Chris Balkema

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Javier L. Cervantes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mattie Hunter

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes

    4/30/2026Senate
  2. Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter

    4/17/2026Senate
  3. Referred to Assignments

    2/3/2026Senate
  4. First Reading

    2/3/2026Senate
  5. Filed with Secretary by Sen. Chris Balkema

    2/3/2026Senate

Bill Text

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