Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Legislative intent.

(a) It is the intent of the legislature to encourage excellence for all pupils, and the legislature wishes to publicly recognize pupils for exemplary achievements in academic studies.

(b) The study of languages other than English in elementary and secondary schools should be encouraged because it contributes to a pupil's cognitive development and to our national economy and security.

(c) Proficiency in multiple languages is critical in enabling this State to participate effectively in a global political, social, and economic context and in expanding trade with other countries. The demand for employees to be fluent in more than one language is increasing both in this State and throughout the world.

(e) The benefits to employers in having staff fluent in more than one language are clear: access to an expanded market, allowing business owners to better serve their customers' needs, and the sparking of new marketing ideas that better target a particular audience and open a channel of communication with customers and businesses in other countries.

(f) It is the intent of the legislature to promote linguistic proficiency and cultural literacy in one or more languages in addition to English and to provide recognition of the attainment of those needed and important skills through the establishment of the State Seal of Biliteracy. A State Seal of Biliteracy would be designated on the high school diplomas and transcripts of graduating public school pupils attaining proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English.