Lilly Sponsors Resolution to Ensure Greater Black History Curriculum in Illinois’s Schools

CHICAGO – To strengthen Illinois schools’ African American history curriculum, state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, sponsored legislation to review Illinois’ current requirements.

“Black history is American history, and students across Illinois need to know of the huge sacrifices and contributions that African Americans make,” said Lilly. “Our history cannot be forgotten and should be a part of every history class so students receive a rich and diverse account of what happened in our state and country for the last 242 years.”

Lilly is sponsoring House Resolution 1098, which creates and empowers the Black History Curriculum Task Force to audit all courses and classes on black history. The Task Force will have a layered review process to determine to what level black history is taught at school districts, standardized tests that include black history and the Illinois State Board of Education’s stance on black history. Lilly hopes that this Task Force will make black history a more prominent part of history curriculum. This resolution was adopted unanimously by the Illinois House of Representatives last week, and the Task Force’s reports are required to be submitted in Jan. 2019.

“The Black History Curriculum Task Force has very clear goals, and it is my hope that we will be able to expand on the teachings of black history in all of our schools,” Lilly said. “For anyone learning about history, especially American history, then black history must be integral in that education. This country’s history would be shamefully incomplete if the contributions made by African Americans were eroded from that.”

Lilly represents Chicago’s West Side, Oak Park, River Grove, Elmwood Park, Franklin Park and Melrose Park. Join her weekly newsletter to stay up to date with events and news from the 78th District.