Illinois 104th General Assembly Status: Introduced 19 D cosponsors

HB2997      — SCH CD-ARAB AMERICAN HISTORY

Last action — Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah

  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the House. Introduced February 06, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 38% · moderate confidence

  • Introduced

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 25 sponsors

    1 primary, 24 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (19 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 4 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, every public elementary school and high school shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Arab American history, including the history of Arab Americans in the State and the Midwest, as well as the contributions of Arab Americans from the 19th century onward. Provides that the State Superintendent of Education may prepare and make available to all school boards instructional materials, including those established by the Public Broadcasting Service, that may be used as guidelines for the development of the unit of instruction. Provides that each school board shall determine the minimum amount of instructional time that qualifies as a unit of instruction. Provides that the regional superintendent of schools shall monitor a school district's compliance with the curricular requirements during the regional superintendent's annual compliance visit. Provides that a school may meet the requirements through an online program or course. Effective immediately.

Bill Text

We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.

Read HB2997 on the official Illinois source →

Action History

  1. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah

  2. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam

  3. Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

  4. Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As June 1, 2025

  5. Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 23, 2025

  6. Assigned to Education

  7. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Thaddeus Jones

  8. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa

  9. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán

  10. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane L. Johnson

  11. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Willie Preston

  12. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Bill Cunningham

  13. Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Mike Porfirio

  14. Referred to Assignments

  15. First Reading

  16. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Bill Cunningham

  17. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

  18. Arrive in Senate

  19. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 067-035-000

  20. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Anne Stava

  21. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez

  22. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita

  23. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer

  24. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Maurice A. West, II

  25. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lilian Jiménez

  26. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias

  27. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

  28. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Sonya M. Harper

  29. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford

  30. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

  31. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lisa Davis

  32. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Slaughter

  33. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Nabeela Syed

  34. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock

  35. Fiscal Note Request is Inapplicable

  36. State Mandates Fiscal Note Request is Inapplicable

  37. Motion Prevailed 070-038-000

  38. Note / Motion Filed - Note Act Does Not Apply Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid

  39. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted

  40. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 009-004-000

  41. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee

  42. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

  43. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid

  44. Fiscal Note Filed

  45. Fiscal Note Requested by Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid

  46. Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate

  47. Second Reading - Short Debate

  48. State Mandates Fiscal Note Requested by Rep. Amy Elik

  49. Fiscal Note Requested by Rep. Amy Elik

  50. Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

  51. Do Pass / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 009-004-000

  52. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch

  53. Assigned to Education Policy Committee

  54. Referred to Rules Committee

  55. First Reading

  56. Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 24 co-sponsors · 158 not signed on · 37 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (24)

Not signed on (158)

158 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 158 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Third Reading

Passed 67 Yea · 35 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 630011
Republican 03405
Unaffiliated 3100
Total 6635016
% of votes cast 56%30%0%14%
How each member voted (117)
Member Party Vote
Jacobs — Nay
Johnson — Yea
Stava-Murray — Yea
Hernandez, Lisa — Yea
Aarón M. Ortíz Democrat Yea
Abdelnasser Rashid Democrat Yea
Amy Briel Democrat Yea
Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar Democrat Not Voting
Ann M. Williams Democrat Yea
Anna Moeller Democrat Yea
Anthony DeLuca Democrat Not Voting
Barbara Hernandez Democrat Yea
Bob Morgan Democrat Yea
Camille Y. Lilly Democrat Yea
Carol Ammons Democrat Not Voting
Curtis J. Tarver, II Democrat Yea
Dagmara Avelar Democrat Yea
Daniel Didech Democrat Yea
Dave Vella Democrat Yea
Debbie Meyers-Martin Democrat Yea
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Edgar González, Jr. Democrat Yea
Eva-Dina Delgado Democrat Yea
Fred Crespo Democrat Not Voting
Harry Benton Democrat Yea
Hoan Huynh Democrat Yea
Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. Democrat Yea
Janet Yang Rohr Democrat Yea
Jawaharial Williams Democrat Not Voting
Jay Hoffman Democrat Yea
Jehan Gordon-Booth Democrat Yea
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz Democrat Yea
Joyce Mason Democrat Not Voting
Justin Slaughter Democrat Yea
Kam Buckner Democrat Yea
Katie Stuart Democrat Yea
Kelly M. Cassidy Democrat Yea
Kevin John Olickal Democrat Yea
Kimberly Du Buclet Democrat Yea
La Shawn K. Ford Democrat Not Voting
Laura Faver Dias Democrat Yea
Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. Democrat Yea
Lilian Jiménez Democrat Yea
Lindsey LaPointe Democrat Yea
Lisa Davis Democrat Yea
Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Democrat Yea
Margaret Croke Democrat Yea
Martha Deuter Democrat Yea
Martin J. Moylan Democrat Not Voting
Mary Beth Canty Democrat Yea
Mary Gill Democrat Yea
Matt Hanson Democrat Yea
Maura Hirschauer Democrat Yea
Maurice A. West, II Democrat Yea
Michael Crawford Democrat Yea
Michael J. Kelly Democrat Yea
Michelle Mussman Democrat Yea
Nabeela Syed Democrat Yea
Natalie A. Manley Democrat Yea
Nicholas K. Smith Democrat Yea
Nicolle Grasse Democrat Yea
Norma Hernandez Democrat Yea
Rick Ryan Democrat Yea
Rita Mayfield Democrat Yea
Robert "Bob" Rita Democrat Yea
Robyn Gabel Democrat Yea
Sharon Chung Democrat Not Voting
Sonya M. Harper Democrat Yea
Stephanie A. Kifowit Democrat Yea
Sue Scherer Democrat Not Voting
Suzanne M. Ness Democrat Yea
Terra Costa Howard Democrat Yea
Thaddeus Jones Democrat Yea
Theresa Mah Democrat Yea
Tracy Katz Muhl Democrat Yea
Will Guzzardi Democrat Yea
William "Will" Davis Democrat Yea
Yolonda Morris Democrat Not Voting
Adam M. Niemerg Republican Nay
Amy Elik Republican Nay
Amy L. Grant Republican Nay
Blaine Wilhour Republican Nay
Brad Halbrook Republican Nay
Brad Stephens Republican Nay
Bradley Fritts Republican Nay
Brandun Schweizer Republican Nay
Charles Meier Republican Nay
Chris Miller Republican Nay
Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer Republican Nay
Dan Swanson Republican Nay
Daniel J. Ugaste Republican Nay
Dave Severin Republican Nay
David Friess Republican Nay
Dennis Tipsword Republican Nay
Jackie Haas Republican Nay
Jason R. Bunting Republican Nay
Jed Davis Republican Nay
Jeff Keicher Republican Nay
Jennifer Sanalitro Republican Not Voting
Joe C. Sosnowski Republican Nay
John M. Cabello Republican Nay
Kevin Schmidt Republican Nay
Kyle Moore Republican Nay
Martin McLaughlin Republican Not Voting
Michael J. Coffey, Jr. Republican Nay
Nicole La Ha Republican Not Voting
Norine K. Hammond Republican Nay
Patrick Sheehan Republican Not Voting
Patrick Windhorst Republican Nay
Regan Deering Republican Nay
Ryan Spain Republican Nay
Steven Reick Republican Nay
Tom Weber Republican Nay
Tony M. McCombie Republican Nay
Travis Weaver Republican Nay
Wayne A. Rosenthal Republican Nay
William E Hauter Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Motion

Passed 70 Yea · 38 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 66008
Republican 03702
Unaffiliated 3100
Total 6938010
% of votes cast 59%32%0%9%
How each member voted (117)
Member Party Vote
Jacobs — Nay
Johnson — Yea
Stava-Murray — Yea
Hernandez, Lisa — Yea
Aarón M. Ortíz Democrat Yea
Abdelnasser Rashid Democrat Yea
Amy Briel Democrat Yea
Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar Democrat Yea
Ann M. Williams Democrat Yea
Anna Moeller Democrat Yea
Anthony DeLuca Democrat Yea
Barbara Hernandez Democrat Yea
Bob Morgan Democrat Yea
Camille Y. Lilly Democrat Yea
Carol Ammons Democrat Not Voting
Curtis J. Tarver, II Democrat Yea
Dagmara Avelar Democrat Yea
Daniel Didech Democrat Yea
Dave Vella Democrat Yea
Debbie Meyers-Martin Democrat Yea
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Edgar González, Jr. Democrat Yea
Eva-Dina Delgado Democrat Yea
Fred Crespo Democrat Not Voting
Harry Benton Democrat Not Voting
Hoan Huynh Democrat Yea
Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. Democrat Yea
Janet Yang Rohr Democrat Yea
Jawaharial Williams Democrat Not Voting
Jay Hoffman Democrat Yea
Jehan Gordon-Booth Democrat Yea
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz Democrat Yea
Joyce Mason Democrat Yea
Justin Slaughter Democrat Yea
Kam Buckner Democrat Yea
Katie Stuart Democrat Yea
Kelly M. Cassidy Democrat Yea
Kevin John Olickal Democrat Yea
Kimberly Du Buclet Democrat Yea
La Shawn K. Ford Democrat Not Voting
Laura Faver Dias Democrat Yea
Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. Democrat Yea
Lilian Jiménez Democrat Yea
Lindsey LaPointe Democrat Yea
Lisa Davis Democrat Yea
Marcus C. Evans, Jr. Democrat Yea
Margaret Croke Democrat Yea
Martha Deuter Democrat Yea
Martin J. Moylan Democrat Yea
Mary Beth Canty Democrat Yea
Mary Gill Democrat Yea
Matt Hanson Democrat Yea
Maura Hirschauer Democrat Yea
Maurice A. West, II Democrat Yea
Michael Crawford Democrat Yea
Michael J. Kelly Democrat Yea
Michelle Mussman Democrat Yea
Nabeela Syed Democrat Yea
Natalie A. Manley Democrat Yea
Nicholas K. Smith Democrat Yea
Nicolle Grasse Democrat Yea
Norma Hernandez Democrat Yea
Rick Ryan Democrat Yea
Rita Mayfield Democrat Yea
Robert "Bob" Rita Democrat Yea
Robyn Gabel Democrat Yea
Sharon Chung Democrat Not Voting
Sonya M. Harper Democrat Yea
Stephanie A. Kifowit Democrat Yea
Sue Scherer Democrat Not Voting
Suzanne M. Ness Democrat Yea
Terra Costa Howard Democrat Yea
Thaddeus Jones Democrat Yea
Theresa Mah Democrat Yea
Tracy Katz Muhl Democrat Yea
Will Guzzardi Democrat Yea
William "Will" Davis Democrat Yea
Yolonda Morris Democrat Not Voting
Adam M. Niemerg Republican Nay
Amy Elik Republican Nay
Amy L. Grant Republican Nay
Blaine Wilhour Republican Nay
Brad Halbrook Republican Nay
Brad Stephens Republican Nay
Bradley Fritts Republican Nay
Brandun Schweizer Republican Nay
Charles Meier Republican Nay
Chris Miller Republican Nay
Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer Republican Nay
Dan Swanson Republican Nay
Daniel J. Ugaste Republican Nay
Dave Severin Republican Nay
David Friess Republican Nay
Dennis Tipsword Republican Nay
Jackie Haas Republican Nay
Jason R. Bunting Republican Nay
Jed Davis Republican Nay
Jeff Keicher Republican Nay
Jennifer Sanalitro Republican Not Voting
Joe C. Sosnowski Republican Nay
John M. Cabello Republican Nay
Kevin Schmidt Republican Nay
Kyle Moore Republican Nay
Martin McLaughlin Republican Nay
Michael J. Coffey, Jr. Republican Nay
Nicole La Ha Republican Nay
Norine K. Hammond Republican Nay
Patrick Sheehan Republican Nay
Patrick Windhorst Republican Nay
Regan Deering Republican Nay
Ryan Spain Republican Nay
Steven Reick Republican Nay
Tom Weber Republican Nay
Tony M. McCombie Republican Nay
Travis Weaver Republican Nay
Wayne A. Rosenthal Republican Nay
William E Hauter Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Education Policy

Passed 9 Yea · 4 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 9000
Republican 0400
Total 9400
% of votes cast 69%31%0%0%
How each member voted (13)
Member Party Vote
Barbara Hernandez Democrat Yea
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Gregg Johnson Democrat Yea
Janet Yang Rohr Democrat Yea
Joyce Mason Democrat Yea
Laura Faver Dias Democrat Yea
Margaret Croke Democrat Yea
Maura Hirschauer Democrat Yea
Michelle Mussman Democrat Yea
Adam M. Niemerg Republican Nay
Amy Elik Republican Nay
Blaine Wilhour Republican Nay
Dan Swanson Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Education Policy

Passed 9 Yea · 4 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 9000
Republican 0400
Total 9400
% of votes cast 69%31%0%0%
How each member voted (13)
Member Party Vote
Diane Blair-Sherlock Democrat Yea
Fred Crespo Democrat Yea
Janet Yang Rohr Democrat Yea
Joyce Mason Democrat Yea
Katie Stuart Democrat Yea
Laura Faver Dias Democrat Yea
Maura Hirschauer Democrat Yea
Maurice A. West, II Democrat Yea
Michelle Mussman Democrat Yea
Adam M. Niemerg Republican Nay
Amy Elik Republican Nay
Blaine Wilhour Republican Nay
Dan Swanson Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB2997      do?
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, every public elementary school and high school shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Arab American history, including the history of Arab Americans in the State and the Midwest, as well as the contributions of Arab Americans from the 19th century onward. Provides that the State Superintendent of Education may prepare and make available to all school boards instructional materials, including those established by the Public Broadcasting Service, that may be used as guidelines for the development of the unit of instruction. Provides that each school board shall determine the minimum amount of instructional time that qualifies as a unit of instruction. Provides that the regional superintendent of schools shall monitor a school district's compliance with the curricular requirements during the regional superintendent's annual compliance visit. Provides that a school may meet the requirements through an online program or course. Effective immediately.
Who sponsors HB2997     ?
HB2997      is sponsored by Abdelnasser Rashid (Democrat), Mike Porfirio, Bill Cunningham, Willie Preston, Graciela Guzmán, Ram Villivalam, Karina Villa, Emanuel "Chris" Welch (Democrat), Diane Blair-Sherlock (Democrat), Nabeela Syed (Democrat), Justin Slaughter (Democrat), Lisa Davis (Democrat), Michael Crawford (Democrat), Sonya M. Harper (Democrat), Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (Democrat), Laura Faver Dias (Democrat), Lilian Jiménez (Democrat), Maurice A. West, II (Democrat), Maura Hirschauer (Democrat), Robert "Bob" Rita (Democrat), Norma Hernandez (Democrat), Anne Stava (Democrat), Thaddeus Jones (Democrat), Theresa Mah (Democrat), and Gregg Johnson (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB2997     ?
This bill has been introduced in the House. Introduced February 06, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB2997     ?
Track HB2997      free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on HB2997     

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of HB2997     

Last checked for changes about 2 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →