SPRINGFIELD -
Attention on the US HIstory section of the School Code was drawn when a group of Democrat lawmakers proposed legislation requiring taxpayer-funded history textbooks "be designed to teach that LGBT individuals have a rich history and have made substantial and valuable contributions to society, including in government, arts, sciences, mathematics, sports, and education, and in the economic, cultural, and political development of society."
The controversy brought spotlighted the state's School Code concerning requirements for United States history classes. The state's code section on US History requirements (105 ILCS 5/27-21)(from Ch. 122, par. 27-21) starts out vague, mentioning in one paragraph that US History should address democracy and representative government.
But specifications for study commence, with several ethnic groups mentioned as needing to be covered in the textbooks. One section says US History should "reinforce the study of the role and contributions of Hispanics, such curriculum shall include the study of the events related to the forceful removal and illegal deportation of Mexican-American U.S. citizens during the Great Depression" – a surprising requirement that is little known.
The proposed amendment that requires LGBT individuals and their contributions to history be studied would be placed in statute after the Hispanic history specifications.
