On Friday, July 9, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the TEAACH Act (Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History Act) into law. Illinois is the first state in the U.S. to require Asian American history be taught in public schools!

Curriculum must include “the events of Asian American history, including the history of Asian Americans in Illinois and the Midwest, as well as the contributions of Asian Americans toward advancing civil rights from the 19th century onward,” the legislation reads.

“We are setting a new standard for what it means to truly reckon with our history. It’s a new standard that helps us understand one another, and, ultimately, to move ourselves closer to the nation of our ideals,” Pritzker said in a statement.

The law goes into effect January 1, and the requirement begins in the 2022-3 school year for public elementary and high schools. CAMOC will continue to play our part in educating the public about Chinese American history. Let’s celebrate this huge moment for our community!

Read the full coverage of the signing here

(Photo from Illinois State Rep. Theresa Mah)