Small and Midsize Manufacturers Urge Governor to Sign SB 3070 into Law
SCHAUMBURG, IL – Today, the Illinois House gave final passage to 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, drafted by TMA and its small and midsize manufacturers in Illinois, passed the Senate on Thursday and now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
TMA has been working on supplemental legislation since it learned about the pending mandate that will require high school students starting in 2028 to complete two years of a foreign language to graduate high school. Such a mandate would drastically reduce opportunities for students to take courses in Career & Technical Education, such as advanced manufacturing, CNC machining, welding, and other accredited CTE courses.
Through SB 3070, high school students will still have the ability to take two years of foreign language courses but will provide an alternative opportunity to take CTE courses for those planning to pursue a career instead of college right after high school.
“For many students, completing a CTE sequence can literally determine whether they walk into a $60,000-a-year career with benefits after graduation, or walk out of high school without a clear path at all,” said TMA Executive Vice President Dennis LaComb. “TMA and our small and midsize manufacturers applaud our state legislators, especially lead chief co-sponsors Senator Willie Preston (D-Chicago) and Representative William Davis (D-East Hazel Crest), for leading this crucial bipartisan legislation and we urge Governor Pritzker to sign it into law.”
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.