One of the Illinois Task Force on Civic Education’s main recommendations is the creation of a  state requirement that students take a “stand-alone” civics class in high school that includes discussions of controversial issues, simulations of political/civic processes, and community service.
Adding this requirement would require approval by lawmakers. The task force hopes state lawmakers will take up the matter in the spring session.
Considered marginalized in an era of high-stakes testing in reading and math, civics is gaining attention as a state-appointed task force of lawmakers, educators and advocacy groups pushes reforms to bring the subject to prominence in the public school curriculum.
The goal is to help students become thoughtful, informed, involved and responsible citizens, through instruction that moves away from memorizing facts and focusing on government institutions.
Read about the Task Force’s work
and recommendations here.
The group’s final report will be submitted to the General Assembly by Dec. 31 and will include input from public hearings and comments submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education.
An earlier preliminary report from last May can be viewed here (PDF).
TL;DR Civics 
There’s going to be a change in administration in Springfield next month. So I hope that the Task Force’s work doesn’t end up gathering dust in a file cabinet.
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