Protecting the Human Heart of Education: CCCTU Supports HB 1859
- kskoirchet
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
In a time of rapidly evolving technology and artificial intelligence, the Cook County College Teachers Union (CCCTU), Local 1600, is standing firm on one vital principle: education must remain a human endeavor. That message was delivered with conviction by CCCTU Legislative Chair Troy Swanson in his recent testimony before the Illinois Senate Executive Committee in support of House Bill 1859.
HB 1859 is a landmark piece of legislation aimed at ensuring that credit-bearing instruction in Illinois community colleges is delivered by qualified human instructors, not automated systems or artificial intelligence.
“Learning is a deeply human process,” Swanson testified. “It is grounded in relationships, in mentorship, in shared inquiry. While AI may assist, it cannot replace the trust, care, and challenge that human educators provide.”
Swanson emphasized the unique role community college faculty play in supporting diverse student populations—including first-generation students, English language learners, and working adults juggling multiple responsibilities. For these students, instructors are not just teachers, they are mentors, advocates, and first responders to academic and personal challenges.
“Faculty are often the first to recognize when a student is struggling, the first to offer a listening ear, or the first to connect a student with campus resources,” Swanson said. “That caring presence cannot be automated.”
Beyond the classroom, HB 1859 also addresses the broader ethical implications of outsourcing critical decisions, like grading and credentialing, to AI. Swanson argued that when it comes to tasks that shape students’ futures, society must rely on accountable human professionals, not algorithms.
As some legislators questioned why the bill focuses specifically on community colleges, Swanson offered a clear rationale: “Community colleges are a logical and strategic first step. Our instructional roles are clearly defined, and our teaching structures are consistent. This provides a solid foundation to establish thoughtful policy while continuing to evaluate applications across the wider higher education system.”
Swanson closed with a powerful reminder that HB 1859 is not anti-technology, it is pro-student.
“This bill affirms that students deserve to learn from real people. People who are experts in their fields, who care about their success, and who are held to professional and ethical standards.”
CCCTU strongly supports HB 1859 as a necessary, measured, and principled step to preserve the integrity of higher education in the age of AI. We remain committed to defending the central role of educators in shaping the minds—and futures—of our students.