Bill Text: IL HB3307 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Amends the Course of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade beginning with the 2028-2029 school year must successfully complete either 2 years of foreign language courses or at least 2 years of career-focused coursework that has been authorized by the State Board of Education as meeting the requirements for a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act (rather than requiring the successful completion of 2 years of foreign language courses). Amends the University of Illinois Act, the Southern Illinois University Management Act, the Chicago State University Law, the Eastern Illinois University Law, the Governors State University Law, the Illinois State University Law, the Northeastern Illinois State University Law, the Northern Illinois University Law, and the Western Illinois University Law. Provides that a university may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the university permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 5-3)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-03-06 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Windhorst [HB3307 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HB3307-Introduced.html


103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3307

Introduced , by Rep. Amy Elik

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
105 ILCS 5/27-22 from Ch. 122, par. 27-22
110 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 144, par. 29
110 ILCS 520/8e from Ch. 144, par. 658e
110 ILCS 660/5-85
110 ILCS 665/10-85
110 ILCS 670/15-85
110 ILCS 675/20-85
110 ILCS 680/25-85
110 ILCS 685/30-85
110 ILCS 690/35-85

Amends the Course of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the 9th grade beginning with the 2028-2029 school year must successfully complete either 2 years of foreign language courses or at least 2 years of career-focused coursework that has been authorized by the State Board of Education as meeting the requirements for a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act (rather than requiring the successful completion of 2 years of foreign language courses). Amends the University of Illinois Act, the Southern Illinois University Management Act, the Chicago State University Law, the Eastern Illinois University Law, the Governors State University Law, the Illinois State University Law, the Northeastern State University Law, the Northern Illinois University Law, and the Western Illinois University Law. Provides that a university may not require State public high school graduates, as a condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign language courses unless the university permits, as an alternative to completion of a foreign language course, attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Effective immediately.
LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b

A BILL FOR

HB3307LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 AN ACT concerning education.
2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
4 Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section
527-22 as follows:
6 (105 ILCS 5/27-22) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-22)
7 Sec. 27-22. Required high school courses.
8 (a) (Blank).
9 (b) (Blank).
10 (c) (Blank).
11 (d) (Blank).
12 (e) Through the 2023-2024 school year, as a prerequisite
13to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil entering the
149th grade must, in addition to other course requirements,
15successfully complete all of the following courses:
16 (1) Four years of language arts.
17 (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
18 which must be English and the other of which may be English
19 or any other subject. When applicable, writing-intensive
20 courses may be counted towards the fulfillment of other
21 graduation requirements.
22 (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
23 Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and

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1 one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science
2 course. A mathematics course that includes geometry
3 content may be offered as an integrated, applied,
4 interdisciplinary, or career and technical education
5 course that prepares a student for a career readiness
6 path.
7 (3.5) For pupils entering the 9th grade in the
8 2022-2023 school year and 2023-2024 school year, one year
9 of a course that includes intensive instruction in
10 computer literacy, which may be English, social studies,
11 or any other subject and which may be counted toward the
12 fulfillment of other graduation requirements.
13 (4) Two years of science.
14 (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one
15 year must be history of the United States or a combination
16 of history of the United States and American government
17 and, beginning with pupils entering the 9th grade in the
18 2016-2017 school year and each school year thereafter, at
19 least one semester must be civics, which shall help young
20 people acquire and learn to use the skills, knowledge, and
21 attitudes that will prepare them to be competent and
22 responsible citizens throughout their lives. Civics course
23 content shall focus on government institutions, the
24 discussion of current and controversial issues, service
25 learning, and simulations of the democratic process.
26 School districts may utilize private funding available for

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1 the purposes of offering civics education. Beginning with
2 pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school
3 year, one semester, or part of one semester, may include a
4 financial literacy course.
5 (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)
6 foreign language, which shall be deemed to include
7 American Sign Language, (D) vocational education, or (E)
8 forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech
9 course used to satisfy the course requirement under
10 subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course
11 requirement under this subdivision (6).
12 (e-5) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, as a
13prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil
14entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course
15requirements, successfully complete all of the following
16courses:
17 (1) Four years of language arts.
18 (2) Two years of writing intensive courses, one of
19 which must be English and the other of which may be English
20 or any other subject. If applicable, writing-intensive
21 courses may be counted toward the fulfillment of other
22 graduation requirements.
23 (3) Three years of mathematics, one of which must be
24 Algebra I, one of which must include geometry content, and
25 one of which may be an Advanced Placement computer science
26 course. A mathematics course that includes geometry

HB3307- 4 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 content may be offered as an integrated, applied,
2 interdisciplinary, or career and technical education
3 course that prepares a student for a career readiness
4 path.
5 (3.5) One year of a course that includes intensive
6 instruction in computer literacy, which may be English,
7 social studies, or any other subject and which may be
8 counted toward the fulfillment of other graduation
9 requirements.
10 (4) Two years of laboratory science.
11 (5) Two years of social studies, of which at least one
12 year must be history of the United States or a combination
13 of history of the United States and American government
14 and at least one semester must be civics, which shall help
15 young people acquire and learn to use the skills,
16 knowledge, and attitudes that will prepare them to be
17 competent and responsible citizens throughout their lives.
18 Civics course content shall focus on government
19 institutions, the discussion of current and controversial
20 issues, service learning, and simulations of the
21 democratic process. School districts may utilize private
22 funding available for the purposes of offering civics
23 education. One semester, or part of one semester, may
24 include a financial literacy course.
25 (6) One year chosen from (A) music, (B) art, (C)
26 foreign language, which shall be deemed to include

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1 American Sign Language, (D) vocational education, or (E)
2 forensic speech (speech and debate). A forensic speech
3 course used to satisfy the course requirement under
4 subdivision (1) may not be used to satisfy the course
5 requirement under this subdivision (6).
6 (e-10) Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, as a
7prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil
8entering the 9th grade must, in addition to other course
9requirements, successfully complete either (i) 2 years of
10foreign language courses, which may include American Sign
11Language, or (ii) at least 2 years of career-focused
12coursework that has been authorized by the State Board of
13Education as meeting the requirements for a College and Career
14Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce
15Readiness Act. A pupil may choose a third year of foreign
16language to satisfy the requirement under subdivision
17paragraph (6) of subsection (e-5).
18 (f) The State Board of Education shall develop and inform
19school districts of standards for writing-intensive
20coursework.
21 (f-5) If a school district offers an Advanced Placement
22computer science course to high school students, then the
23school board must designate that course as equivalent to a
24high school mathematics course and must denote on the
25student's transcript that the Advanced Placement computer
26science course qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative

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1course for students in accordance with subdivision (3) of
2subsection (e) of this Section.
3 (g) Public Act 83-1082 This amendatory Act of 1983 does
4not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in 1983-1984 school
5year and prior school years or to students with disabilities
6whose course of study is determined by an individualized
7education program.
8 Public Act 94-676 This amendatory Act of the 94th General
9Assembly does not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the
102004-2005 school year or a prior school year or to students
11with disabilities whose course of study is determined by an
12individualized education program.
13 Subdivision (3.5) of subsection (e) does not apply to
14pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2021-2022 school year or a
15prior school year or to students with disabilities whose
16course of study is determined by an individualized education
17program.
18 Subsection (e-5) does not apply to pupils entering the 9th
19grade in the 2023-2024 school year or a prior school year or to
20students with disabilities whose course of study is determined
21by an individualized education program. Subsection (e-10) does
22not apply to pupils entering the 9th grade in the 2027-2028
23school year or a prior school year or to students with
24disabilities whose course of study is determined by an
25individualized education program.
26 (h) The provisions of this Section are subject to the

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1provisions of Section 27-22.05 of this Code and the
2Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
3 (i) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to modify
4the requirements of this Section for any students enrolled in
5grades 9 through 12 if the Governor has declared a disaster due
6to a public health emergency pursuant to Section 7 of the
7Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
8(Source: P.A. 101-464, eff. 1-1-20; 101-643, eff. 6-18-20;
9101-654, Article 50, Section 50-5, eff. 3-8-21; 101-654,
10Article 60, Section 60-5, eff. 3-8-21; 102-366, eff. 8-13-21;
11102-551, eff. 1-1-22; 102-864, eff. 5-13-22; revised 9-2-22.)
12 Section 10. The University of Illinois Act is amended by
13changing Section 8 as follows:
14 (110 ILCS 305/8) (from Ch. 144, par. 29)
15 Sec. 8. Admissions.
16 (a) (Blank).
17 (b) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
18of the departments or colleges of the University unless such
19student also has satisfactorily completed:
20 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
21 the following 5 categories:
22 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
23 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
24 years may be collegiate level instruction;

HB3307- 8 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
2 and government);
3 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
4 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
5 fundamentals of computer programming);
6 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
7 agricultural sciences); and
8 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
9 (which may be deemed to include American Sign
10 Language), music, career and technical education,
11 agricultural education, or art;
12 (2) except that institutions may admit individual
13 applicants if the institution determines through
14 assessment or through evaluation based on learning
15 outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and
16 technical education courses and courses taken in a charter
17 school established under Article 27A of the School Code,
18 that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills
19 substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills
20 expected to be acquired in the high school courses
21 required for admission. The Board of Trustees of the
22 University of Illinois shall not discriminate in the
23 University's admissions process against an applicant for
24 admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a
25 charter school established under Article 27A of the School
26 Code. Institutions may also admit 1) applicants who did

HB3307- 9 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college
2 preparatory curriculum in high school, and 2)
3 educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to
4 the formal organized special assistance programs that are
5 tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in
6 either case, the institution incorporates in the
7 applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other
8 academic activities that compensate for course
9 deficiencies; and
10 (3) except that up to 3 of the 15 units of coursework
11 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
12 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
13 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
14 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
15 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1); and .
16 (4) except that the University may not require State
17 public high school graduates, as a condition of
18 acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign
19 language courses unless the University permits, as an
20 alternative to completion of a foreign language course,
21 attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement
22 under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
23 (c) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
24recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
25coursework required by subsection (b).
26 (d) A student who has graduated from high school and has

HB3307- 10 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
2SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
3test as a prerequisite to admission.
4 (e) The Board of Trustees shall establish an admissions
5process in which honorably discharged veterans are permitted
6to submit an application for admission to the University as a
7freshman student enrolling in the spring semester if the
8veteran was on active duty during the fall semester. The
9University may request that the Department of Veterans'
10Affairs confirm the status of an applicant as an honorably
11discharged veteran who was on active duty during the fall
12semester.
13(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
14 Section 15. The Southern Illinois University Management
15Act is amended by changing Section 8e as follows:
16 (110 ILCS 520/8e) (from Ch. 144, par. 658e)
17 Sec. 8e. Admissions.
18 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
19of the departments or colleges of the University unless such
20student also has satisfactorily completed:
21 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
22 the following 5 categories:
23 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
24 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2

HB3307- 11 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 years may be collegiate level instruction;
2 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
3 and government);
4 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
5 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
6 fundamentals of computer programming);
7 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
8 agricultural sciences); and
9 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
10 (which may be deemed to include American Sign
11 Language), music, career and technical education,
12 agricultural education, or art;
13 (2) except that institutions may admit individual
14 applicants if the institution determines through
15 assessment or through evaluation based on learning
16 outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and
17 technical education courses and courses taken in a charter
18 school established under Article 27A of the School Code,
19 that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills
20 substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills
21 expected to be acquired in the high school courses
22 required for admission. The Board of Trustees of Southern
23 Illinois University shall not discriminate in the
24 University's admissions process against an applicant for
25 admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a
26 charter school established under Article 27A of the School

HB3307- 12 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 Code. Institutions may also admit 1) applicants who did
2 not have an opportunity to complete the minimum college
3 preparatory curriculum in high school, and 2)
4 educationally disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to
5 the formal organized special assistance programs that are
6 tailored to the needs of such students, providing that in
7 either case, the institution incorporates in the
8 applicant's baccalaureate curriculum courses or other
9 academic activities that compensate for course
10 deficiencies; and
11 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
12 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
13 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
14 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
15 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
16 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1); and .
17 (4) except that the University may not require State
18 public high school graduates, as a condition of
19 acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign
20 language courses unless the University permits, as an
21 alternative to completion of a foreign language course,
22 attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement
23 under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
24 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
25recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
26coursework required by subsection (a).

HB3307- 13 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
2scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
3SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
4test as a prerequisite to admission.
5 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
6which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
7application for admission to the University as a freshman
8student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
9active duty during the fall semester. The University may
10request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
11status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
12was on active duty during the fall semester.
13(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
14 Section 20. The Chicago State University Law is amended by
15changing Section 5-85 as follows:
16 (110 ILCS 660/5-85)
17 Sec. 5-85. Admissions.
18 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
19of the departments or colleges of the Chicago State University
20unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:
21 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
22 the following 5 categories:
23 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
24 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2

HB3307- 14 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 years may be collegiate level instruction;
2 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
3 and government);
4 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
5 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
6 fundamentals of computer programming);
7 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
8 agricultural sciences); and
9 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
10 (which may be deemed to include American Sign
11 Language), music, career and technical education,
12 agricultural education, or art;
13 (2) except that Chicago State University may admit
14 individual applicants if it determines through assessment
15 or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
16 coursework taken, including career and technical education
17 courses and courses taken in a charter school established
18 under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
19 demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
20 to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
21 high school courses required for admission. The Board of
22 Trustees of Chicago State University shall not
23 discriminate in the University's admissions process
24 against an applicant for admission because of the
25 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
26 under Article 27A of the School Code. Chicago State

HB3307- 15 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
2 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
3 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
4 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
5 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
6 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
7 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
8 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
9 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
10 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
11 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
12 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
13 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
14 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
15 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1); and .
16 (4) except that Chicago State University may not
17 require State public high school graduates, as a condition
18 of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign
19 language courses unless the University permits, as an
20 alternative to completion of a foreign language course,
21 attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement
22 under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
23 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
24recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
25coursework required by subsection (a).
26 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has

HB3307- 16 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
2SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
3test as a prerequisite to admission.
4 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
5which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
6application for admission to the University as a freshman
7student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
8active duty during the fall semester. The University may
9request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
10status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
11was on active duty during the fall semester.
12(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
13 Section 25. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended
14by changing Section 10-85 as follows:
15 (110 ILCS 665/10-85)
16 Sec. 10-85. Admissions.
17 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
18of the departments or colleges of the Eastern Illinois
19University unless such student also has satisfactorily
20completed:
21 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
22 the following 5 categories:
23 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
24 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2

HB3307- 17 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 years may be collegiate level instruction;
2 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
3 and government);
4 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
5 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
6 fundamentals of computer programming);
7 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
8 agricultural sciences); and
9 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
10 (which may be deemed to include American Sign
11 Language), music, career and technical education,
12 agricultural education, or art;
13 (2) except that Eastern Illinois University may admit
14 individual applicants if it determines through assessment
15 or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
16 coursework taken, including career and technical education
17 courses and courses taken in a charter school established
18 under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
19 demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
20 to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
21 high school courses required for admission. The Board of
22 Trustees of Eastern Illinois University shall not
23 discriminate in the University's admissions process
24 against an applicant for admission because of the
25 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
26 under Article 27A of the School Code. Eastern Illinois

HB3307- 18 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
2 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
3 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
4 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
5 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
6 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
7 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
8 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
9 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
10 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
11 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
12 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
13 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
14 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
15 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1); and .
16 (4) except that Eastern Illinois University may not
17 require State public high school graduates, as a condition
18 of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign
19 language courses unless the University permits, as an
20 alternative to completion of a foreign language course,
21 attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement
22 under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
23 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
24recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
25coursework required by subsection (a).
26 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has

HB3307- 19 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
2SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
3test as a prerequisite to admission.
4 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
5which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
6application for admission to the University as a freshman
7student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
8active duty during the fall semester. The University may
9request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
10status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
11was on active duty during the fall semester.
12(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
13 Section 30. The Governors State University Law is amended
14by changing Section 15-85 as follows:
15 (110 ILCS 670/15-85)
16 Sec. 15-85. Admissions.
17 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
18of the departments or colleges of the Governors State
19University unless such student also has satisfactorily
20completed:
21 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
22 the following 5 categories:
23 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
24 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2

HB3307- 20 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 years may be collegiate level instruction;
2 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
3 and government);
4 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
5 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
6 fundamentals of computer programming);
7 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
8 agricultural sciences); and
9 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
10 (which may be deemed to include American Sign
11 Language), music, career and technical education,
12 agricultural education, or art;
13 (2) except that Governors State University may admit
14 individual applicants if it determines through assessment
15 or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
16 coursework taken, including career and technical education
17 courses and courses taken in a charter school established
18 under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
19 demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
20 to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
21 high school courses required for admission. The Board of
22 Trustees of Governors State University shall not
23 discriminate in the University's admissions process
24 against an applicant for admission because of the
25 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
26 under Article 27A of the School Code. Governors State

HB3307- 21 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
2 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
3 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
4 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
5 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
6 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
7 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
8 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
9 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
10 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
11 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
12 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
13 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
14 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
15 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1); and .
16 (4) except that Governors State University may not
17 require State public high school graduates, as a condition
18 of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign
19 language courses unless the University permits, as an
20 alternative to completion of a foreign language course,
21 attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement
22 under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
23 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
24recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
25coursework required by subsection (a).
26 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has

HB3307- 22 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
2SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
3test as a prerequisite to admission.
4 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
5which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
6application for admission to the University as a freshman
7student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
8active duty during the fall semester. The University may
9request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
10status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
11was on active duty during the fall semester.
12(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
13 Section 35. The Illinois State University Law is amended
14by changing Section 20-85 as follows:
15 (110 ILCS 675/20-85)
16 Sec. 20-85. Admissions.
17 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
18of the departments or colleges of the Illinois State
19University unless such student also has satisfactorily
20completed:
21 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
22 the following 5 categories:
23 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
24 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2

HB3307- 23 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 years may be collegiate level instruction;
2 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
3 and government);
4 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
5 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
6 fundamentals of computer programming);
7 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
8 agricultural sciences); and
9 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
10 (which may be deemed to include American Sign
11 Language), music, career and technical education,
12 agricultural education, or art;
13 (2) except that Illinois State University may admit
14 individual applicants if it determines through assessment
15 or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
16 coursework taken, including career and technical education
17 courses and courses taken in a charter school established
18 under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
19 demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
20 to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
21 high school courses required for admission. The Board of
22 Trustees of Illinois State University shall not
23 discriminate in the University's admissions process
24 against an applicant for admission because of the
25 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
26 under Article 27A of the School Code. Illinois State

HB3307- 24 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
2 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
3 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
4 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
5 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
6 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
7 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
8 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
9 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
10 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
11 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
12 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
13 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
14 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
15 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1); and .
16 (4) except that Illinois State University may not
17 require State public high school graduates, as a condition
18 of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign
19 language courses unless the University permits, as an
20 alternative to completion of a foreign language course,
21 attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement
22 under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
23 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
24recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
25coursework required by subsection (a).
26 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has

HB3307- 25 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
2SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
3test as a prerequisite to admission.
4 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
5which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
6application for admission to the University as a freshman
7student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
8active duty during the fall semester. The University may
9request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
10status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
11was on active duty during the fall semester.
12(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
13 Section 40. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is
14amended by changing Section 25-85 as follows:
15 (110 ILCS 680/25-85)
16 Sec. 25-85. Admissions.
17 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
18of the departments or colleges of the Northeastern Illinois
19University unless such student also has satisfactorily
20completed:
21 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
22 the following 5 categories:
23 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
24 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2

HB3307- 26 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 years may be collegiate level instruction;
2 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
3 and government);
4 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
5 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
6 fundamentals of computer programming);
7 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
8 agricultural sciences); and
9 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
10 (which may be deemed to include American Sign
11 Language), music, career and technical education,
12 agricultural education, or art;
13 (2) except that Northeastern Illinois University may
14 admit individual applicants if it determines through
15 assessment or through evaluation based on learning
16 outcomes of the coursework taken, including career and
17 technical education courses and courses taken in a charter
18 school established under Article 27A of the School Code,
19 that the applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills
20 substantially equivalent to the knowledge and skills
21 expected to be acquired in the high school courses
22 required for admission. The Board of Trustees of
23 Northeastern Illinois University shall not discriminate in
24 the University's admissions process against an applicant
25 for admission because of the applicant's enrollment in a
26 charter school established under Article 27A of the School

HB3307- 27 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 Code. Northeastern Illinois University may also admit (i)
2 applicants who did not have an opportunity to complete the
3 minimum college preparatory curriculum in high school, and
4 (ii) educationally disadvantaged applicants who are
5 admitted to the formal organized special assistance
6 programs that are tailored to the needs of such students,
7 providing that in either case, the institution
8 incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum
9 courses or other academic activities that compensate for
10 course deficiencies; and
11 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
12 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
13 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
14 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
15 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
16 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1); and .
17 (4) except that Northeastern Illinois University may
18 not require State public high school graduates, as a
19 condition of acceptance, to have completed any years of
20 foreign language courses unless the University permits, as
21 an alternative to completion of a foreign language course,
22 attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement
23 under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
24 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
25recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
26coursework required by subsection (a).

HB3307- 28 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
2scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
3SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
4test as a prerequisite to admission.
5 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
6which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
7application for admission to the University as a freshman
8student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
9active duty during the fall semester. The University may
10request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
11status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
12was on active duty during the fall semester.
13(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
14 Section 45. The Northern Illinois University Law is
15amended by changing Section 30-85 as follows:
16 (110 ILCS 685/30-85)
17 Sec. 30-85. Admissions.
18 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
19of the departments or colleges of the Northern Illinois
20University unless such student also has satisfactorily
21completed:
22 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
23 the following 5 categories:
24 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and

HB3307- 29 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
2 years may be collegiate level instruction;
3 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
4 and government);
5 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
6 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
7 fundamentals of computer programming);
8 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
9 agricultural sciences); and
10 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
11 (which may be deemed to include American Sign
12 Language), music, career and technical education,
13 agricultural education, or art;
14 (2) except that Northern Illinois University may admit
15 individual applicants if it determines through assessment
16 or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
17 coursework taken, including career and technical education
18 courses and courses taken in a charter school established
19 under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
20 demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
21 to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
22 high school courses required for admission. The Board of
23 Trustees of Northern Illinois University shall not
24 discriminate in the University's admissions process
25 against an applicant for admission because of the
26 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established

HB3307- 30 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 under Article 27A of the School Code. Northern Illinois
2 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
3 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
4 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
5 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
6 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
7 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
8 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
9 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
10 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
11 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
12 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
13 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
14 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
15 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
16 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1); and .
17 (4) except that Northern Illinois University may not
18 require State public high school graduates, as a condition
19 of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign
20 language courses unless the University permits, as an
21 alternative to completion of a foreign language course,
22 attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement
23 under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
24 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
25recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
26coursework required by subsection (a).

HB3307- 31 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
2scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
3SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
4test as a prerequisite to admission.
5 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
6which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
7application for admission to the University as a freshman
8student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
9active duty during the fall semester. The University may
10request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
11status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
12was on active duty during the fall semester.
13(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
14 Section 50. The Western Illinois University Law is amended
15by changing Section 35-85 as follows:
16 (110 ILCS 690/35-85)
17 Sec. 35-85. Admissions.
18 (a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
19of the departments or colleges of the Western Illinois
20University unless such student also has satisfactorily
21completed:
22 (1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
23 the following 5 categories:
24 (A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and

HB3307- 32 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
2 years may be collegiate level instruction;
3 (B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
4 and government);
5 (C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
6 advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
7 fundamentals of computer programming);
8 (D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences or
9 agricultural sciences); and
10 (E) 2 years of electives in foreign language
11 (which may be deemed to include American Sign
12 Language), music, career and technical education,
13 agricultural education, or art;
14 (2) except that Western Illinois University may admit
15 individual applicants if it determines through assessment
16 or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
17 coursework taken, including career and technical education
18 courses and courses taken in a charter school established
19 under Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
20 demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
21 to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
22 high school courses required for admission. The Board of
23 Trustees of Western Illinois University shall not
24 discriminate in the University's admissions process
25 against an applicant for admission because of the
26 applicant's enrollment in a charter school established

HB3307- 33 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 under Article 27A of the School Code. Western Illinois
2 University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
3 an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
4 curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
5 disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
6 organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
7 the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
8 the institution incorporates in the applicant's
9 baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
10 activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
11 (3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
12 required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
13 distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
14 the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
15 and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
16 categories of coursework described in paragraph (1); and .
17 (4) except that Western Illinois University may not
18 require State public high school graduates, as a condition
19 of acceptance, to have completed any years of foreign
20 language courses unless the University permits, as an
21 alternative to completion of a foreign language course,
22 attainment of a College and Career Pathway Endorsement
23 under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act.
24 (b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
25recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
26coursework required by subsection (a).

HB3307- 34 -LRB103 25510 RJT 51859 b
1 (c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
2scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or
3SAT shall not be required to take a high school equivalency
4test as a prerequisite to admission.
5 (d) The Board shall establish an admissions process in
6which honorably discharged veterans are permitted to submit an
7application for admission to the University as a freshman
8student enrolling in the spring semester if the veteran was on
9active duty during the fall semester. The University may
10request that the Department of Veterans' Affairs confirm the
11status of an applicant as an honorably discharged veteran who
12was on active duty during the fall semester.
13(Source: P.A. 102-403, eff. 1-1-22; 102-404, eff. 1-1-22.)
14 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
15becoming law.
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