New! Illinois Senate Bill 0564
We celebrate the recent passage of Illinois Senate Bill 0564 as it strengthens our collective commitment to culturally responsive and sustaining social science instruction. SB0564 names January 17th Muhammad Ali Commemorative holiday, requiring that “The teaching of history shall include the contributions made to society by Americans of different faith practices, including, but not limited to, Muslim Americans, Jewish Americans, Christian Americans, Hindu Americans, Sikh Americans, Buddhist Americans, and any other collective community of faith that has shaped America.”

The origins of this bill are rooted in a desire to recognize the life, contributions, and role of faith for Muhammad Ali, and Americans of different faith practices, more broadly. Importantly, the IL Muslim Civic Coalition spearheaded the project and advocated for this bill as well as three other important pieces of legislation that will help ensure more inclusive and representative education across the state.

We are grateful for this call to action, and encourage all educators to use this opportunity to reflect on the ways their curriculum is inclusive and reflective of the many cultures, ethnicities, and religious affiliations that comprise our great classrooms, communities, and nation.
Image Credit: Dutch National Archives, The Hague, Fotocollectie Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau (ANEFO), 1945-1989.
GUIDANCE & RESOURCES: Muhammad Ali Commemorative Holiday
How have individuals and groups shaped our democracy today?
See CPS Guidance for SB0564 which includes an inquiry and additional resources to build more inclusive and representative classrooms:
  • Religion & Identity: How have people of various faiths impacted American democracy and society? 
  • Religion & Community: What faith practices are represented by the people in your classroom/school/community? How can you reflect with a culturally relevant and sustaining lens about the faith practices in your community?
  • Religion & Democracy: How do we balance and support individual rights, religious freedom, and religious difference?
Celebrate and Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In King’s honor, we commit to continuing our efforts to promote inclusive, critical, and justice-focused social science and civic engagement. We hope you aspire to include his work, and the challenges he faced, in your curriculum.

Here is a collection of events, resources, and lesson plans to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:


For more on the establishment and purpose of the MLK National Holiday, read here).
Image: Minnesota Historical Society
Partner Resource Highlight
The Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition has released a toolkit that includes PreK-12 lessons, a deliberation and discussion guide, books, and videos to commemorate these two great American leaders. The resources provide a valuable opportunity to honor their legacy, learn from our past, and inspire us to take action in today’s America.

Learn more about the IL Muslim Civic Coalition.
Leadership Opportunity
Exciting opportunity for K12 CPS Educators. 

Join our Culturally Responsive Experiential Learning PLC! Develop civic-centered projects that deepen the skills and content within your curriculum. Includes training, resources, stipend, and collaboration with other teachers and community partners. These project can also count for service learning credit.

Learn more and sign HERE 
Join Our Team!
Attention Educators! Are you passionate about culturally responsive social science? Do you innovate in civic learning practices like discussion of controversial issues or community-based learning? Come join our team!


Email us at ssce@cps.edu with questions.