HB4954 Summary

• Adds three new commemorative holidays to Illinois schools: January 15 (Humanitarian Day, using white as visual affirmation), April 4 (Victims of Violence Wholly Day, using black), and August 28 (Dream Day, using black and white).

• Requires teaching of U.S. history to include study of the American civil rights renaissance, defined as the period from 1954 to 1965 called "the Movement."

• Maintains existing legal school holidays and allows school boards to hold institutes, conferences, or staff development on certain holidays if the honored persons/events are recognized through instructional activities.

• In public schools only, requires teaching of the roles and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in U.S. history.

• Directs the State Board of Education to prepare instructional materials for commemorative holidays that school boards may use in their curriculum.