EDUC-FOREIGN LANG ALTERNATIVE Senate SponsorsSen. Willie Preston-Meg Loughran Cappel and Chris Balkema 3/10/2026SenateAssigned to Education 105 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 690/35-85Amends 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. 1/29/2026SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Willie Preston 1/29/2026SenateFirst Reading 1/29/2026SenateReferred to Assignments 2/2/2026SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel 3/10/2026SenateAssigned to Education 3/11/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Chris Balkema 3/11/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Willie Preston 3/11/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments 3/13/2026SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As March 27, 2026 3/24/2026SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Education 3/27/2026SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 24, 2026