Illinois lawmakers want to end foreign language requirement in high
schools
[March 16, 2026]
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker says removing the state’s
two-year high school foreign language requirement would give students
more flexibility while easing pressure from what he calls an unfunded
mandate that affects taxpayers.
State Rep. Travis Weaver, R-Edwards, is backing legislation introduced
by Democratic state Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, that would
eliminate the statewide requirement that high school students complete
two foreign language credits to graduate. Weaver said a superintendent
raised the idea, saying the requirement limits students’ ability to take
other courses.
“Technology changes and as technology changes, we should adapt to make
sure we’re providing our students the best education that they can have
based on the most recent data of what the future is going to look like,”
Weaver told The Center Square.
House Bill 4334 comes as new translation technologies and artificial
intelligence tools continue to develop, something Weaver said is already
changing how people communicate across languages.
“You can buy Meta-glasses and look at somebody speaking a different
language and it instantly translates it into your ear,” he said.
Weaver stressed the measure would not remove foreign language classes
from schools, but would make them optional rather than mandatory.
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“There’s only so many classes a student can take in high school,”
Weaver said. “If you’re requiring a student to take two credits of
foreign language, that’s two credits they don’t have for trades,
math, science, art or music.”
Weaver said the education community have been among the strongest
supporters of the proposal.
“I’ve actually seen the opposite of pushback,” he said when asked
about concerns from teachers or unions.
Weaver said the change likely would not dramatically lower taxes but
could reduce costs over time by giving districts flexibility in
staffing and course offerings.
“It may not be a huge property tax mover, but philosophically
anytime we have an unfunded mandate there are going to be costs with
it,” he said.
Students planning to attend college would still likely need to take
foreign language courses, Weaver noted, since many universities
require two years of language study for admission.
“But if a student knows they’re going into carpentry or electrical
work, I think they should be taking more carpentry or electrical
classes instead of requiring foreign language just because,” he
said.
The proposal has bipartisan support in the legislature, according to
Weaver, who said growing attention around the measure suggests it
has a viable path forward.
“It’s a common-sense bill and it should be passed,” he said.
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