Slaughter-Backed Bill Mandates Instruction on Asian American History in Illinois Schools

CHICAGO – A new law supported by state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, will require every public K-12 school in Illinois to provide students instruction on the contributions of Asian Americans. 

“Illinois is one of the most diverse states in the country, and I believe that it is past time for our education system to catch up to this fact,” said Slaughter. “Our state and our nation’s history is not black and white, and our children deserve exposure to the full range of experiences of ethnic and cultural groups in our country’s development.”

The Slaughter-backed House Bill 376 will amend the Illinois School Code by requiring every public K-12 school in the state to provide students with a unit of instruction on the history of Asian Americans. This instruction will inform students about the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and the many contributions of Asian Americans toward the development of the United States. House Bill 376 was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and will take effect during the 2022-2023 academic year.

“We must continue to create a future where diversity and tolerance are just as valued as talent and hard work,” said Slaughter. “These values start in the classroom and I believe that we are one step closer to realizing this future.”