IL SB0564

Adds January 17 (Muhammad Ali's birthday) as a commemorative holiday in Illinois public schools, requiring instruction about Ali on that day or an adjacent school day.

Allows school boards with waiver eligibility to hold school or schedule staff activities on five specific holidays (MLK Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Pulaski Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans' Day) if they recognize the honorees through instructional activities and hold a public hearing with notice to educators and parents.

Requires history curriculum in public schools to include contributions of Americans from different faith practices, including Muslim Americans, Jewish Americans, Christian Americans, Hindu Americans, Sikh Americans, Buddhist Americans, and other faith communities.

Maintains existing legal holidays when teachers and school employees cannot be required to work, with limited exceptions for noncertificated employees during emergencies or facility maintenance.

Requires eighth-grade students to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of U.S. history, including the additions to curriculum mandated by this act, before graduation.