SPRINGFIELD — Schools across the state will soon be incentivized to expand dual language programs in grade schools at no cost to their school districts, thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Graciela Guzmán and State Representative Abdelnassar Rashid.

“Research shows how impactful dual language instruction can be to young people’s future careers, for developing interpersonal relationships and forming deeper connections with other cultures,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “This measure will encourage more schools to implement dual language programs, setting students up for future success and creating a more welcoming, multicultural space for young people to learn.”

Recognizing the importance of dual language education for young people, the Illinois Advisory Council for Bilingual Education – formed in 2023 – began to research how to incentivize, improve and expand dual language instruction in schools. After extensive stakeholder engagement, expert consultation, and data collection, the council released a report to the General Assembly in October 2024 with their recommendations. Their proposals were divided into three buckets – those with high costs to implement, those with low costs and those with no prospective costs.

House Bill 3026 implements the proposals with no projected cost, including adopting statewide guidance for dual language instruction to ensure consistency and quality across the state, developing a recruitment and retention platform to attract potential bilingual educators, and expanding the Seal of Biliteracy recognition pathways to promote bilingualism and enhance students’ future opportunities. It also enhances equity by integrating dual language programming into the State Board of Education’s broader framework of student learning and directs the agency to develop teaching standards for dual language education. These changes aim to make dual language instruction more common and consistent throughout the state. 

“As someone who grew up in a multilingual household, I can tell you firsthand that learning another language is an incredibly enriching experience,” said State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid, the House sponsor of the measure. “This bill doesn’t just expand dual language programs, it will improve academic achievement, enhance cultural preservation, and help our young people become more well-rounded individuals with a better understanding of themselves and the world.”

House Bill 3026 was signed into law on Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, with several components of the measure going into effect at different times.