SCHAUMBURG, IL – Today, the Illinois Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 3070, bipartisan legislation that would allow high school students to take Career Technical Education (CTE) classes as an alternative to the 2-year foreign language mandate starting in 2028. The bill now heads to the House for consideration later this week.
Starting with the 2028-29 school year, incoming 9th grade students in Illinois will be required to take two years of foreign language classes during their high school career in order to graduate. SB 3070 would allow CTE classes such as advanced manufacturing, CNC machining and other accredited CTE classes to qualify under the foreign language mandate.
TMA applauds the bill’s chief co-sponsors, Senators Willie Preston (D-Chicago) and Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), who led efforts to guide the legislation through the Senate Education Committee last week and the full Senate today. The bipartisan bill is also co-sponsored by Senators Chris Balkema (R-Channahon), David Koehler (D-Peoria), Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett), Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon), Darby Hills (R-Barrington Hills), Paul Faraci (D-Champaign), Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport), Suzy Glowiak-Hilton (D-Western Springs), and Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).
“TMA has been working with high schools for many years to help prepare the next generation of manufacturers for their future high-paying careers, and this legislation will ensure students still have continued access to CTE classes,” said TMA Executive Vice President Dennis LaComb. “Small and midsize manufacturers applaud our senators for approving this vital bipartisan legislation and we look forward to action later this week in the House.”
About TMA: Founded in 1925, TMA is an independent trade association whose mission is to partner with small and midsize manufacturers to help protect, promote, and grow their businesses through practical products, programs, services, and solutions. TMA has nearly 900 members representing approximately 39,000 manufacturing employees and more than 27 million square feet of manufacturing plant.
