HB 4968 Illinois House · 101st Regular Session

HIGHER ED-CAMPUS FREE SPEECH

Summary
Creates the Campus Free Speech and Expression Act. Requires the board of trustees of each public university and community college in this State to adopt a policy that includes a statement that (1) the primary function of an institution of higher education is the discovery, improvement, transmission, and dissemination of knowledge by means of research, teaching, discussion, and debate; (2) it is not the proper role of an institution of higher education to shield individuals from speech protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States; (3) it is the proper role of an institution of higher education to encourage diversity of thoughts, ideas, and opinions and to encourage the peaceful, respectful, and safe exercise of First Amendment rights; (4) students and faculty have the freedom to discuss any problem that presents itself, assemble, and engage in spontaneous expressive activity on campus, within the bounds of established principles of the First Amendment and subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions; and (5) the outdoor areas of campus of an institution of higher education are public forums open on the same terms to any invited speaker, subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. Sets forth provisions concerning activities that are protected under the Act, deeming the outdoor areas of campuses public forums on campus, freedom of association, remedies, a statute of limitations, and immunity.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2020
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 13, 2020 Last action Jun 23, 2020
Floor votes

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No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
0
Committee
3
Jun 23, 2020
House · Referred to committee
Rule 19(b) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
Mar 12, 2020
House · Referred to committee
Assigned to Higher Education Committee
Feb 18, 2020
House · Referred to committee
Referred to Rules Committee
0 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
Co
Photo of Allen Skillicorn
Allen Skillicorn
RRepublican
IL
66