Illinois students could soon have more opportunities to learn American Sign Language, thanks to legislation sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner that passed the Senate on Thursday.

The bill, Senate Bill 1920, encourages school districts across the state to compile educational materials highlighting the benefits of ASL and explore ways to incorporate it into K-8 curriculum. The proposal was brought to Turner by a constituent.

“We have so many residents across Illinois who are either deaf or hard of hearing who use ASL to communicate,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “If we teach our children about ASL at a young age, we could foster a generation of people who can reach out to those in the deaf and hard-hearing communities.”

According to 2023 data, around 50 million Americans experience significant hearing loss or no hearing at all. ASL is the third most popular language taught in U.S. higher education institutions and is estimated to be used by over 500,000 people nationwide.

Turner emphasized the social and professional benefits of learning ASL, noting that the language can promote inclusivity and make students more marketable in the workforce.

Senate Bill 1920 passed with bipartisan support and now heads to the House for further consideration.