Illinois legislation · 104th General Assembly
Illinois SB3070: EDUC-FOREIGN LANG ALTERNATIVE
Status: Signed into law, August 7, 2026
Amends the Courses 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 various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that a public 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.
What the bill says
A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026SB3070Introduced 1/28/2026, by Sen. Willie PrestonSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 5/27-605was 105 ILCS 5/27-22110 ILCS 305/8from Ch. 144, par. 29110 ILCS 520/8efrom Ch. 144, par. 658e110 ILCS 660/5-85110 ILCS 665/10-85110 ILCS 670/15-85110 ILCS 675/20-85110 ILCS 680/25-85110 ILCS 685/30-85110 ILCS 690/35-85 105 ILCS 5/27-605 was 105 ILCS 5/27-22 110 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 144, par. 29 110 ILCS 520/8e from Ch. 144, par…
From the introduced text, January 29, 2026:
A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026SB3070Introduced 1/28/2026, by Sen. Willie PrestonSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 5/27-605was 105 ILCS 5/27-22110 ILCS 305/8from Ch. 144, par. 29110 ILCS 520/8efrom Ch. 144, par. 658e110 ILCS 660/5-85110 ILCS 665/10-85110 ILCS 670/15-85110 ILCS 675/20-85110 ILCS 680/25-85110 ILCS 685/30-85110 ILCS 690/35-85 105 ILCS 5/27-605 was 105 ILCS 5/27-22 110 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 ILCS 5/27-605 was 105 ILCS 5/27-22 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 144, par. ILCS 520/8e from Ch. 144, par. 658e ILCS 660/5-85 ILCS 665/10-85 ILCS 670/15-85 ILCS 675/20-85 ILCS 680/25-85 ILCS 685/30-85 ILCS 690/35-85 Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that,as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, each pupil enteringthe 9th grade beginning with the 2028-2029 school year must successfullycomplete either 2 years of foreign language courses or at least 2 years ofcareer-focused coursework that has been authorized by the State Board ofEducation as meeting the requirements for a College and Career PathwayEndorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act (ratherthan requiring the successful completion of 2 years of foreign languagecourses). Amends various Acts relating to the governance of publicuniversities …
Sponsors
- Willie Preston (D, 16) · primary sponsor
- Meg Loughran Cappel (D, 49)
- Erica Harriss (R, 56)
- Karina Villa (D, 25)
- Chris Balkema (R, 53)
- David Koehler (D, 46)
- Seth Lewis (R, 24)
- Darby A. Hills (R, 26)
- Paul Faraci (D, 52)
- Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D, 23)
- Andrew S. Chesney (R, 45)
- Christopher Belt (D, 57)
Latest actions
- : Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0814
- : Effective Date August 7, 2026
- : Governor Approved
- : Sent to the Governor
- : Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
- : Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Brad Stephens
- : Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Jay Hoffman
- : Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Ryan Spain
- : Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer
- : Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Coffey, Jr.
Votes
- Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed (May 31, 2026): 107 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Motion to Suspend Rule 21 - Prevailed (May 29, 2026): 74 yea, 38 nay, passed
- Do Pass / Short Debate Education Policy Committee (May 29, 2026): 12 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Third Reading - Passed (May 28, 2026): 58 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass as Amended Education (May 19, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: ILCS 110 - Higher Education, ILCS 105 - Schools
Common questions
- What is SB3070?
- SB3070 is a bill in the Illinois Legislature (104th General Assembly): EDUC-FOREIGN LANG ALTERNATIVE.
- What does SB3070 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026SB3070Introduced 1/28/2026, by Sen. Willie PrestonSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: ILCS 5/27-605was 105 ILCS 5/27-22110 ILCS 305/8from Ch. 144, par. 29110 ILCS 520/8efrom Ch. 144, par. 658e110 ILCS 660/5-85110 ILCS 665/10-85110 ILCS 670/15-85110 ILCS 675/20-85110 ILCS 680/25-85110 ILCS 685/30-85110 ILCS 690/35-85 105 ILCS 5/27-605 was 105 ILCS 5/27-22 110 ILCS 305/8 from Ch. 144, par. 29 110 ILCS 520/8e from Ch. 144, par…
- What is the status of SB3070?
- Signed into law as of August 7, 2026. Latest action: Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0814 (August 7, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB3070?
- Willie Preston (D, 16), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB3070?
- On the Illinois Legislature website: https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=3070&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114
Source: official Illinois record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.