To: Members of the Illinois General Assembly, Illinois State Board of Education, Educators and Community Stakeholders
Dear Members of the Illinois General Assembly and Educational Leaders:
We, the undersigned scholars, educators, and community leaders across Illinois and the nation, write to express our strong support for pending legislation SB 2270 & HB 4139 to mandate the inclusion of Latinx Studies across all content areas in Illinois K–12 education.
Illinois is home to one of the most vibrant and diverse Latinx populations in the country—comprising nearly 20% of the state’s population (Pew Hispanic Center, 2024). Yet despite this long and deeply rooted presence, Illinois remains among the lowest-ranking states in the inclusion of Latinx focused content within its K–12 educational standards. The absence of such representation contributes to historical erasure and educational inequities that this bill seeks to redress.
Latinx communities have made enduring contributions to the cultural, economic, and civic life of Illinois, particularly in counties such as Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Will (Amezcua, 2017; De Genova, 2005; Fernandez, 2012). Including Latinx Studies within the K–12 curriculum ensures that students learn about the histories, knowledge, and lived experiences of the people who continue to shape our state and nation.
Latinx individuals have profoundly influenced U.S history—from labor movements and civil rights advocacy to the arts, education, and public service—yet their stories are often excluded from the classroom. A mandated Latinx Studies curriculum will provide students with a fuller and nuanced understanding of U.S. and Illinois history that amplifies heterogeneous migration narratives and lived experiences that define it.
By engaging with the languages, cultural traditions, and artistic expressions of Latinx communities, students develop empathy, cultural competence, and mutual respect. Such learning is essential to building inclusive communities and countering prejudice in an increasingly diverse and interconnected society. Research demonstrates that when students see their cultures and communities reflected in the curriculum, they are more engaged and perform better academically (Yosso, 2013). A Latinx Studies mandate would directly align with Illinois’ Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards, reinforcing educational equity and improving outcomes for all students by equipping them with essential skills in perspective-taking, critical thinking, and cross-cultural understanding that prepare them to engage thoughtfully in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world (Gay, 2018; Ladson-Billings, 1995).
This mandate is not simply additive—it is transformative. Latinx Studies fosters critical engagement with issues of race, im/migration, identity, and power, equipping students with tools to challenge inequities and contribute to a more just society. The legislation would complement existing Illinois mandates such as the TEAACH Act, Native American History, Women’s History, Black History, and LGBTQ+ History, advancing equitable curricular representation across all groups.
By learning about the civic, political, and cultural leadership of Latinx individuals, students gain models for social participation and civic responsibility. Such study nurtures leadership, agency, and a sense of belonging in public life.
Illinois has an opportunity to lead the nation in creating a comprehensive, justice-oriented model for inclusive curriculum. By adopting this legislation, the state will affirm its commitment to educational equity, truth-telling, and democratic learning.
Mandating Latinx Studies across Illinois K–12 education is a necessary and just step toward building an inclusive, accurate, and equitable educational system. It honors the histories of our communities, enriches the educational experience of all students, and strengthens our collective future.
We, the undersigned, urge the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Latinx Studies Curriculum Bills and stand ready to support this critical work in partnership with educators, policymakers, and community organizations.
In Solidarity,
Latinx Studies Now! Collaborative