A bipartisan proposal creating a statewide comprehensive literacy plan is heading to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk.

The plan requires the Illinois State Board of Education to develop a statewide literacy plan for school districts by January 31. ISBE would also be responsible for creating a rubric and literacy plan template for districts by July 1, 2024.

According to our news partners at WAND TV, Senate Bill 2243 calls for ISBE to create a new content area test for elementary school teachers that contains biliteracy, oral language development, and other foundational skills.

The Illinois Early Literacy Coalition said the state board has already hired a writing team to produce the first draft of this literacy plan. There will also be focus groups and a listening tour to allow the public to provide input for the long-term goal.

Senate Bill 2243 passed unanimously out of the Senate and Pritzker is expected to sign it into law.