Protecting the Integrity of Community College Education: HB 1859 Passes Illinois House

On April 7th, House Bill 1859 passed the Illinois House of Representatives with a decisive bipartisan vote of 87 in favor. The bill, championed by Representative Abdelnasser Rashid (D-21st), co-chair of the General Assembly's Committee on Artificial Intelligence, is a landmark piece of legislation designed to safeguard the quality and integrity of instruction at Illinois community colleges. HB 1859 now advances to the Senate for further consideration.

At its core, HB 1859 is a proactive response to the growing presence of artificial intelligence in education. The bill mandates that all courses in community college districts be taught by credentialed human instructors, as defined by disciplinary and industry standards. This requirement protects the value of their education, maintains accreditation standards, and addresses ethical concerns related to AI-driven teaching. It sends a clear message: while AI has its place, it cannot replace the essential human connection at the heart of teaching and learning.

This legislation represents a significant step forward for our union’s priority to protect faculty jobs, uphold academic standards, and defend the educational integrity of our colleges. It reinforces the role of instructors not only as subject matter experts but as mentors and guides, essential to student success. The passage of HB 1859 is especially timely as colleges grapple with how to incorporate emerging technologies without compromising the mission of higher education.

The success of HB 1859 in the House is a direct result of the Cook County College Teachers Union’s sustained legislative efforts. Our advocacy, built on relationships with lawmakers and driven by the collective voice of our members, continues to shape policy in Springfield. We thank Representative Rashid for his leadership and our union members for their continued support. Together, we are ensuring that Illinois community colleges remain places of human-centered, high-quality education.