IllinoisStudents can meet a graduation course rule through language or career classes
Starting with ninth-grade entrants in 2028–29, students must meet this graduation course rule through language study or approved career and technical education classes.
What it does
Students entering ninth grade in 2028–29 or later must complete two years of foreign language or at least two years of State Board-approved career and technical education coursework.
Argument forStudents could meet the course rule through approved career classes, giving them another path besides studying a foreign language.
Argument againstThe two-year course rule could leave students with less room for other classes, especially where approved career courses are limited.
More detail
Students must complete either two years of foreign language courses or at least two years of approved career and technical education coursework to meet this course requirement for graduation. This applies to pupils entering ninth grade beginning in the 2028–29 school year. Foreign language courses may include American Sign Language. The State Board of Education must authorize the career coursework as meeting the requirements for an approved course. Students whose course of study is set by an individualized education program are exempt from this subsection. This requirement applies beginning with pupils entering ninth grade in the 2028–29 school year.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 7Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0814Latest
- Aug 7Effective Date August 7, 2026
- Aug 7Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 29Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Brad Stephens
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jay Hoffman
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Ryan Spain
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Coffey, Jr.
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Norine K. Hammond
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. John M. Cabello
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Kyle Moore
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Tom Weber
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jackie Haas
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Blaine Wilhour
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Bradley Fritts
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Travis Weaver
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Martin McLaughlin
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin Schmidt
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Steven Reick
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Chris Miller
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Brandun Schweizer
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Daniel J. Ugaste
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Tony M. McCombie
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Adam M. Niemerg
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. William E Hauter
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Sheehan
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. David Friess
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Dave Severin
- May 31Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Windhorst
- May 31Passed Both Houses
- May 31Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 107-000-004Passed House
- May 31Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Natalie A. Manley
- May 30Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Anthony DeLuca
- May 29Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 29Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin
- May 29Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Suzanne M. Ness
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Fred Crespo
- May 29Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Gregg Johnson
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Rita Mayfield
- May 29Do Pass / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 012-001-000
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Rick Ryan
- May 29Motion to Suspend Rule 21 - Prevailed 074-038-001
- May 29Motion Filed to Suspend Rule 21 Education Policy Committee; Rep. Katie Stuart
- May 29Committee/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2026
- May 29Assigned to Education Policy CommitteeMinor
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Wayne A. Rosenthal
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Regan Deering
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Charles Meier
- May 29Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Dan Swanson
- May 29Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer
- May 29Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Dave Vella
- May 28Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 28Referred to Rules Committee
- May 28First ReadingMinor
- May 28Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Elik
- May 28Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jason R. Bunting
- May 28Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung
- May 28Chief House Sponsor Rep. William "Will" Davis
- May 28Arrived in HouseMinor
- May 28Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Tabled Pursuant to Rule 5-4(a)Minor
- May 28Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000Passed Senate
- May 26Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Christopher Belt
- May 22Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 31, 2026
- May 22Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Andrew S. Chesney
- May 21Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Chris Balkema
- May 21Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 25, 2026
- May 21Second ReadingMinor
- May 21Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton
- May 20Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Paul Faraci
- May 20Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Darby A. Hills
- May 19Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 20, 2026Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- May 19Do Pass as Amended Education; 013-000-000
- May 19Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 AdoptedMajor
- May 19Chief Co-Sponsor Changed to Sen. Karina Villa
- May 19Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa
- May 19Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Erica Harriss
- May 19Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Seth Lewis
- May 19Waive Posting Notice
- May 15Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 22, 2026
- May 14Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler
- May 12Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8(b-1), the following amendments will remain in the Committee on Assignments
- May 7Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
- May 7Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Willie PrestonMinor
- Apr 24Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 15, 2026
- Mar 27Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 24, 2026
- Mar 24Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Education
- Mar 13Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026
- Mar 11Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- Mar 11Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Willie PrestonMinor
- Mar 11Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Chris Balkema
- Mar 10Assigned to EducationMinor
- Feb 2Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel
- Jan 29Referred to Assignments
- Jan 29First ReadingMinor
- Jan 29Filed with Secretary by Sen. Willie PrestonIntroduced
Education