SPRINGFIELD (WEEK) – Governor JB Pritzker signed three pieces of legislation on Thursday, which included a bill that adds the birthday of Muhammad Ali, January 17, to the list of commemorative school holidays in Illinois.
“I’m happy to have championed SB 564. Not only are we highlighting the work and patriotism of Muhammad Ali, but we also help school curriculums capture the diversity of our state and elevate the contributions to society of individuals from all collective communities of faith.”
-State Representative Edgar Gonzalez, Jr. (D-Chicago)
According to a press release, SB 564 will also require history courses to include the study of the contributions made by Americans of different faith practices, including, but not limited to, Muslim Americans, Jewish Americans, Christian Americans, Hindu Americans, Sikh Americans, Buddhist Americans and any other community of faith that has shaped America.
SB 564 will be effective January 1, 2022.
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