Bill Text: IL HB0725 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Amends the School Code to encourage school boards to implement American Sign Language (ASL) courses into school foreign language curriculum. Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. In provisions concerning admissions requirements, provides that ASL constitutes a foreign language for the purposes of meeting those requirements. Requires the governing board of each public university to award academic credit for the successful completion of any ASL course offered or approved by the university, which may be applied toward the satisfaction of the foreign language requirements of the university. Imposes conditions on any rulemaking authority. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2009-12-23 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-0843 [HB0725 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-HB0725-Engrossed.html

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HB0725 Engrossed LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
AN ACT concerning education.
WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds and declares the
following:
(a) Illinois has over one million deaf and hard of
hearing residents;
(b) American Sign Language (ASL) is a fully-developed,
visual-gestural language with distinct grammar, syntax,
and symbols and is one of hundreds of signed languages in
the world;
(c) The American deaf community is a group of citizens
who are members of a unique culture who share ASL as their
common language; and
(d) High school graduation requirements under Section
27-22 of the School Code require students to take one year
of music, art, vocational education, or a foreign language,
which includes ASL; and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly hereby also declares the
purpose and intent of this amendatory Act to be as follows:
(a) To recognize ASL as the language of the American
deaf community; and
(b) To authorize and encourage public and independent
schools, including post-secondary schools, to offer ASL as
a course of study and to accept ASL credits as
foreign-language credits; therefore

HB0725 Engrossed - 2 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Sections
10-20.46 and 34-18.37 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/10-20.46 new)
Sec. 10-20.46. American Sign Language courses. School
boards are encouraged to implement American Sign Language
courses into school foreign language curriculum. Rulemaking
authority to implement this amendatory Act of the 96th General
Assembly, if any, is conditioned on the rules being adopted in
accordance with all provisions of the Illinois Administrative
Procedure Act and all rules and procedures of the Joint
Committee on Administrative Rules; any purported rule not so
adopted, for whatever reason, is unauthorized.
(105 ILCS 5/34-18.37 new)
Sec. 34-18.37. American Sign Language courses. The school
board is encouraged to implement American Sign Language courses
into school foreign language curriculum. Rulemaking authority
to implement this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly,
if any, is conditioned on the rules being adopted in accordance
with all provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure
Act and all rules and procedures of the Joint Committee on
Administrative Rules; any purported rule not so adopted, for

HB0725 Engrossed - 3 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
whatever reason, is unauthorized.
Section 10. The University of Illinois Act is amended by
changing Section 8 and by adding Section 45 as follows:
(110 ILCS 305/8) (from Ch. 144, par. 29)
Sec. 8. Admissions.
(a) No student shall be admitted to instruction in any of
the departments of the University who shall not have attained
to the age of fifteen (15) years, and who shall not previously
undergo a satisfactory examination in each of the branches
ordinarily taught in the common schools of the state.
(b) In addition, commencing in the fall of 1993, no new
student shall then or thereafter be admitted to instruction in
any of the departments or colleges of the University unless
such student also has satisfactorily completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);

HB0725 Engrossed - 4 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language, which
may be deemed to include American Sign Language, music,
vocational education or art;
(2) except that institutions may admit individual
applicants if the institution determines through
assessment or through evaluation based on learning
outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational
education courses and courses taken in a charter school
established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the
applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially
equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be
acquired in the high school courses required for admission.
The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois shall
not discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Institutions may also
admit 1) applicants who did not have an opportunity to
complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in
high school, and 2) educationally disadvantaged applicants
who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance
programs that are tailored to the needs of such students,
providing that in either case, the institution
incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum
courses or other academic activities that compensate for

HB0725 Engrossed - 5 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of the 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(c) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (b).
(d) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
shall not be required to take the high school level General
Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to
admission.
(Source: P.A. 91-374, eff. 7-30-99.)
(110 ILCS 305/45 new)
Sec. 45. American Sign Language courses. The University may
award academic credit for the successful completion of any
American Sign Language course offered or approved by the
University, which may be applied toward the satisfaction of the
foreign language requirements of the University, except for
those requirements related to the content of a student's
academic major.

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Section 15. The Southern Illinois University Management
Act is amended by changing Section 8e and by adding Section 30
as follows:
(110 ILCS 520/8e) (from Ch. 144, par. 658e)
Sec. 8e. Admissions.
(a) Commencing in the fall of 1993, no new student shall
then or thereafter be admitted to instruction in any of the
departments or colleges of the University unless such student
also has satisfactorily completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language, which
may be deemed to include American Sign Language, music,
vocational education or art;
(2) except that institutions may admit individual
applicants if the institution determines through

HB0725 Engrossed - 7 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
assessment or through evaluation based on learning
outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational
education courses and courses taken in a charter school
established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the
applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially
equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be
acquired in the high school courses required for admission.
The Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University shall
not discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Institutions may also
admit 1) applicants who did not have an opportunity to
complete the minimum college preparatory curriculum in
high school, and 2) educationally disadvantaged applicants
who are admitted to the formal organized special assistance
programs that are tailored to the needs of such students,
providing that in either case, the institution
incorporates in the applicant's baccalaureate curriculum
courses or other academic activities that compensate for
course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5

HB0725 Engrossed - 8 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
shall not be required to take the high school level General
Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to
admission.
(Source: P.A. 91-374, eff. 7-30-99.)
(110 ILCS 520/30 new)
Sec. 30. American Sign Language courses. The University may
award academic credit for the successful completion of any
American Sign Language course offered or approved by the
University, which may be applied toward the satisfaction of the
foreign language requirements of the University, except for
those requirements related to the content of a student's
academic major.
Section 20. The Chicago State University Law is amended by
changing Section 5-85 and by adding Section 5-140 as follows:
(110 ILCS 660/5-85)
Sec. 5-85. Admission requirements.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any

HB0725 Engrossed - 9 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
of the departments or colleges of the Chicago State University
unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language, which
may be deemed to include American Sign Language, music,
vocational education or art;
(2) except that Chicago State University may admit
individual applicants if it determines through assessment
or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
coursework taken, including vocational education courses
and courses taken in a charter school established under
Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
high school courses required for admission. The Board of
Trustees of Chicago State University shall not

HB0725 Engrossed - 10 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Chicago State
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
shall not be required to take the high school level General
Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to

HB0725 Engrossed - 11 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
admission.
(Source: P.A. 91-374, eff. 7-30-99.)
(110 ILCS 660/5-140 new)
Sec. 5-140. American Sign Language courses. The University
may award academic credit for the successful completion of any
American Sign Language course offered or approved by the
University, which may be applied toward the satisfaction of the
foreign language requirements of the University, except for
those requirements related to the content of a student's
academic major.
Section 25. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended
by changing Section 10-85 and by adding Section 10-140 as
follows:
(110 ILCS 665/10-85)
Sec. 10-85. Admission requirements.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Eastern Illinois
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2

HB0725 Engrossed - 12 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language, which
may be deemed to include American Sign Language, music,
vocational education or art;
(2) except that Eastern Illinois University may admit
individual applicants if it determines through assessment
or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
coursework taken, including vocational education courses
and courses taken in a charter school established under
Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
high school courses required for admission. The Board of
Trustees of Eastern Illinois University shall not
discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Eastern Illinois
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory

HB0725 Engrossed - 13 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
shall not be required to take the high school level General
Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to
admission.
(Source: P.A. 91-374, eff. 7-30-99.)
(110 ILCS 665/10-140 new)
Sec. 10-140. American Sign Language courses. The
University may award academic credit for the successful

HB0725 Engrossed - 14 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
completion of any American Sign Language course offered or
approved by the University, which may be applied toward the
satisfaction of the foreign language requirements of the
University, except for those requirements related to the
content of a student's academic major.
Section 30. The Governors State University Law is amended
by changing Section 15-85 and by adding Section 15-140 as
follows:
(110 ILCS 670/15-85)
Sec. 15-85. Admission requirements.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Governors State
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);

HB0725 Engrossed - 15 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language, which
may be deemed to include American Sign Language, music,
vocational education or art;
(2) except that Governors State University may admit
individual applicants if it determines through assessment
or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
coursework taken, including vocational education courses
and courses taken in a charter school established under
Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
high school courses required for admission. The Board of
Trustees of Governors State University shall not
discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Governors State
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic

HB0725 Engrossed - 16 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
shall not be required to take the high school level General
Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to
admission.
(Source: P.A. 91-374, eff. 7-30-99.)
(110 ILCS 670/15-140 new)
Sec. 15-140. American Sign Language courses. The
University may award academic credit for the successful
completion of any American Sign Language course offered or
approved by the University, which may be applied toward the
satisfaction of the foreign language requirements of the
University, except for those requirements related to the
content of a student's academic major.

HB0725 Engrossed - 17 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
Section 35. The Illinois State University Law is amended by
changing Section 20-85 and by adding Section 20-145 as follows:
(110 ILCS 675/20-85)
Sec. 20-85. Admission requirements.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Illinois State University
unless such student also has satisfactorily completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language, which
may be deemed to include American Sign Language, music,
vocational education or art;
(2) except that Illinois State University may admit
individual applicants if it determines through assessment
or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
coursework taken, including vocational education courses

HB0725 Engrossed - 18 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
and courses taken in a charter school established under
Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
high school courses required for admission. The Board of
Trustees of Illinois State University shall not
discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Illinois State
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall

HB0725 Engrossed - 19 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
shall not be required to take the high school level General
Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to
admission.
(Source: P.A. 91-374, eff. 7-30-99.)
(110 ILCS 675/20-145 new)
Sec. 20-145. American Sign Language courses. The
University may award academic credit for the successful
completion of any American Sign Language course offered or
approved by the University, which may be applied toward the
satisfaction of the foreign language requirements of the
University, except for those requirements related to the
content of a student's academic major.
Section 40. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is
amended by changing Section 25-85 and by adding Section 25-140
as follows:
(110 ILCS 680/25-85)
Sec. 25-85. Admission requirements.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Northeastern Illinois

HB0725 Engrossed - 20 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language, which
may be deemed to include American Sign Language, music,
vocational education or art;
(2) except that Northeastern Illinois University may
admit individual applicants if it determines through
assessment or through evaluation based on learning
outcomes of the coursework taken, including vocational
education courses and courses taken in a charter school
established under Article 27A of the School Code, that the
applicant demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially
equivalent to the knowledge and skills expected to be
acquired in the high school courses required for admission.
The Board of Trustees of Northeastern Illinois University

HB0725 Engrossed - 21 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
shall not discriminate in the University's admissions
process against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Northeastern Illinois
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
shall not be required to take the high school level General
Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to

HB0725 Engrossed - 22 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
admission.
(Source: P.A. 91-374, eff. 7-30-99.)
(110 ILCS 680/25-140 new)
Sec. 25-140. American Sign Language courses. The
University may award academic credit for the successful
completion of any American Sign Language course offered or
approved by the University, which may be applied toward the
satisfaction of the foreign language requirements of the
University, except for those requirements related to the
content of a student's academic major.
Section 45. The Northern Illinois University Law is amended
by changing Section 30-85 and by adding Section 30-150 as
follows:
(110 ILCS 685/30-85)
Sec. 30-85. Admission requirements.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Northern Illinois
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2

HB0725 Engrossed - 23 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);
(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language, which
may be deemed to include American Sign Language, music,
vocational education or art;
(2) except that Northern Illinois University may admit
individual applicants if it determines through assessment
or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
coursework taken, including vocational education courses
and courses taken in a charter school established under
Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
high school courses required for admission. The Board of
Trustees of Northern Illinois University shall not
discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Northern Illinois
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory

HB0725 Engrossed - 24 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic
activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
shall not be required to take the high school level General
Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to
admission.
(Source: P.A. 91-374, eff. 7-30-99.)
(110 ILCS 685/30-150 new)
Sec. 30-150. American Sign Language courses. The
University may award academic credit for the successful

HB0725 Engrossed - 25 - LRB096 04615 NHT 14672 b
completion of any American Sign Language course offered or
approved by the University, which may be applied toward the
satisfaction of the foreign language requirements of the
University, except for those requirements related to the
content of a student's academic major.
Section 50. The Western Illinois University Law is amended
by changing Section 35-85 and by adding Section 35-145 as
follows:
(110 ILCS 690/35-85)
Sec. 35-85. Admission requirements.
(a) No new student shall be admitted to instruction in any
of the departments or colleges of the Western Illinois
University unless such student also has satisfactorily
completed:
(1) at least 15 units of high school coursework from
the following 5 categories:
(A) 4 years of English (emphasizing written and
oral communications and literature), of which up to 2
years may be collegiate level instruction;
(B) 3 years of social studies (emphasizing history
and government);
(C) 3 years of mathematics (introductory through
advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or
fundamentals of computer programming);

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(D) 3 years of science (laboratory sciences); and
(E) 2 years of electives in foreign language, which
may be deemed to include American Sign Language, music,
vocational education or art;
(2) except that Western Illinois University may admit
individual applicants if it determines through assessment
or through evaluation based on learning outcomes of the
coursework taken, including vocational education courses
and courses taken in a charter school established under
Article 27A of the School Code, that the applicant
demonstrates knowledge and skills substantially equivalent
to the knowledge and skills expected to be acquired in the
high school courses required for admission. The Board of
Trustees of Western Illinois University shall not
discriminate in the University's admissions process
against an applicant for admission because of the
applicant's enrollment in a charter school established
under Article 27A of the School Code. Western Illinois
University may also admit (i) applicants who did not have
an opportunity to complete the minimum college preparatory
curriculum in high school, and (ii) educationally
disadvantaged applicants who are admitted to the formal
organized special assistance programs that are tailored to
the needs of such students, providing that in either case,
the institution incorporates in the applicant's
baccalaureate curriculum courses or other academic

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activities that compensate for course deficiencies; and
(3) except that up to 3 of 15 units of coursework
required by paragraph (1) of this subsection may be
distributed by deducting no more than one unit each from
the categories of social studies, mathematics, sciences
and electives and completing those 3 units in any of the 5
categories of coursework described in paragraph (1).
(b) When allocating funds, local boards of education shall
recognize their obligation to their students to offer the
coursework required by subsection (a).
(c) A student who has graduated from high school and has
scored within the University's accepted range on the ACT or SAT
shall not be required to take the high school level General
Educational Development (GED) Test as a prerequisite to
admission.
(Source: P.A. 91-374, eff. 7-30-99.)
(110 ILCS 690/35-145 new)
Sec. 35-145. American Sign Language courses. The
University may award academic credit for the successful
completion of any American Sign Language course offered or
approved by the University, which may be applied toward the
satisfaction of the foreign language requirements of the
University, except for those requirements related to the
content of a student's academic major.

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Section 55. The Public Community College Act is amended by
adding Section 3-29.4 as follows:
(110 ILCS 805/3-29.4 new)
Sec. 3-29.4. American Sign Language courses. To adopt
regulations for the awarding of academic credit for the
successful completion of any American Sign Language course
offered or approved by a community college, which may be
applied toward the satisfaction of any foreign language
requirements of the community college, except for those
requirements related to the content of a student's academic
major. Rulemaking authority to implement this amendatory Act of
the 96th General Assembly, if any, is conditioned on the rules
being adopted in accordance with all provisions of the Illinois
Administrative Procedure Act and all rules and procedures of
the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules; any purported rule
not so adopted, for whatever reason, is unauthorized.
Section 90. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding
Section 8.33 as follows:
(30 ILCS 805/8.33 new)
Sec. 8.33. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8
of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the
implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act of
the 96th General Assembly.