Illinois 2023-2024 Regular Session

Illinois House Bill HB2187

Introduced
2/7/23  
Introduced
2/7/23  

Caption

SCH CD-HIST/LIT COURSE-BIBLE

Impact

The bill is expected to shape educational standards across Illinois, offering a fundamental curriculum on religious texts, which proponents argue will provide students with a broader understanding of Western civilization and its influences. The State Board of Education is charged with establishing the curriculum for these classes, laying out the required objectives, reading materials, and lesson plans to ensure an academic and unbiased approach to the subject matter.

Summary

House Bill 2187 aims to amend the Illinois School Code to allow public schools to offer courses focused on the history and literature of the Old and New Testaments for students in grades 3 through 12, starting from the 2023-2024 school year. The purpose of these courses is to immerse students in the contents of the Testaments, covering their historical and literary significance, along with their impact on law, arts, culture, and ethics. This initiative is rooted in the belief that understanding these texts contributes positively to education and cultural literacy.

Contention

While the bill has supporters pointing to its educational benefits and alignment with a growing trend in states encouraging Bible study in schools, there are notable points of contention. Critics may express concerns regarding the secular nature of public education and the potential for religious indoctrination or bias within the curriculum. The bill mandates that the courses be taught in a non-devotional manner, aimed at objective analysis rather than theological endorsement. Nevertheless, the law’s implementation may lead to debates around religious freedom, education standards, and parental rights in education.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IL HB650

AN ACT relating to Bible literacy courses in the public schools and declaring an emergency.

IL HB5400

SCH CD-ARAB AMERICAN HISTORY

IL HB3443

SCH CD-REQ HIGH SCH COURSES

IL SB2076

School curriculum; allow public schools and charter schools to offer elective courses relating to certain religious texts.

IL HB3711

SCH CD-REQ COURSES-GEOMETRY

IL SF139

A bill for an act relating to elective social studies courses emphasizing religious scripture that school districts may offer and teach.

IL SB1161

Schools; directing certain version of Bible be used in certain course and included in certain libraries. Effective date. Emergency.

IL SB684

Allows school districts to offer elective social studies courses on the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament

IL SB2183

School curriculum; allow public schools and charter schools to offer elective courses relating to certain religious texts.

IL SB34

Authorizes school districts and charter schools to offer elective social studies courses on the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament

Similar Bills

KY HB650

AN ACT relating to Bible literacy courses in the public schools and declaring an emergency.

MS SB2183

School curriculum; allow public schools and charter schools to offer elective courses relating to certain religious texts.

MS SB2076

School curriculum; allow public schools and charter schools to offer elective courses relating to certain religious texts.

MO SB411

Creates and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education

MO SB34

Authorizes school districts and charter schools to offer elective social studies courses on the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament

MO SB684

Allows school districts to offer elective social studies courses on the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament

IA HF448

A bill for an act relating to elective social studies courses emphasizing religious scripture that school districts may offer and teach.(See HF 845.)

IA HF845

A bill for an act relating to elective social studies courses emphasizing religious scripture that school districts may offer and teach.(Formerly HF 448.)