Will County Gazette

Taking the floor during a General Assembly, state Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) voiced his support of HB 376 that provides for the inclusion of Asian American history in Illinois school’s curriculum.

Batinick connected the significance of the bill—which will emphasize the “wrongful incarceration” of Japanese Americans during World War II—to the experiences of his brother-in-law's ties to Japanese American family members who served and experienced internment during World War II as members of the U.S. military.

"I have to give a shoutout to my brother-in-law's dad and his brothers who were Japanese-Americans," Batinick said. "Two fought in World War II and subsequently all the brothers who were Japanese-American, who were interned actually fought, I know that was taken out in the Senate, but I hope it’s still in the spirit of the bill.”

Before putting on record his support of HB 376, Batinick reiterated his opposition to the addition of other mandates for the state's curricula such as cursive writing in schools.

HB 376 which amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code, “requires every public elementary school and high school to include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of Asian American history.”

Batinick also co-sponsored the bill. HB 376, which was largely supported by both parties in the two chambers would also require “that the teaching of history of the United States shall include the study of the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and the heroic service of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army during World War II.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved the bill on July 9, making it Public Act 102-0044 which would take effect on Jan. 1, 2022.