Blagojevich signs law requiring genocide education for public schools

KWQC-TV, IA
Aug 5 2005

CHICAGO Governor Rod Blagojevich today signed a bill that requires
Illinois public elementary and high schools to teach about recent
acts of genocide around the world.

The measure takes effect immediately and expands the previous
requirement that students learn about the Holocaust to include a unit
on genocide in Armenia, Bosnia, Cambodia, Rwanda, Sudan and Ukraine.

Blagojevich says it’s important that students understand that racial,
national, ethnic and religious hatred can lead to tragedies.

The measure was sponsored by state Representative John Fritchey and
state Senator Jacqueline Collins, both Chicago Democrats.

Glenn McGee is the former state schools superintendent who is now a
superintendent in Wilmette. He says learning about genocide should
be a component of educating tomorrow’s leaders. But he worries the
requirement could become an unfunded mandate.