State Rep. Juliana Stratton (D-Chicago) has proposed a law in Springfield that would mandate that "every public elementary school and high school include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the significant role of African-American individuals in society."
HB 5857 would also direct state funding for textbooks to black history subject matter.
Purchases "must accurately portray the diversity of our society, including the role and contributions of African-American individuals, and must be non-discriminatory," the bill says.
State Rep. Juliana Stratton (D-Chicago)
Stratton, first elected in 2016, represents Chicago's heavily gerrymandered 5th House District, which follows Michigan Avenue and State Street south from the Gold Coast (1400 North) to Greater Grand Crossing (7900) on the city's far south side. It includes slivers of 10 Chicago wards and at least 15 neighborhoods.
She is running on J.B. Pritzker's ticket for lieutenant governor.
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