Illinois schools would be required to teach students about the September 11 terrorist attacks each year under new legislation introduced by State Senator Dave Syverson.
Currently, Illinois does not mandate annual instruction on the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The date is included on the Illinois State Board of Education’s commemorative calendar, but decisions about specific classroom instruction are generally left to local school districts.
Syverson’s proposal would require schools to set aside time each year to teach students about 9/11, even if the lesson lasts only a few minutes.
The Republican senator said the requirement has become increasingly important as the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks and an entire generation of students has grown up without firsthand memories of that day.
Syverson said the legislation is intended to ensure students understand what happened on September 11 and how Americans responded afterward.
Several other states have adopted requirements or guidance for teaching about 9/11, while some also provide for a moment of silence on the anniversary.
Syverson’s legislation has been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly and is awaiting its first reading.