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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The primary function of institutions of higher
3education is the discovery, transmission, and dissemination of
4knowledge by engaging in teaching, research, open discussions,
5and free debate; and
 
6    WHEREAS, This tradition of openness and freedom is the
7foundation of knowledge creation and has produced many of the
8greatest universities and colleges in the world; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Rene Descartes stated that "if you would be a real
10seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your
11life you doubt, as far as possible, all things"; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Colleges and universities are increasingly
13stifling viewpoints which may be considered controversial by
14some, unilaterally cancelling scheduled speeches by certain
15commentators, and limiting the right to assemble or protest to
16so-called "free speech zones"; and
 
17    WHEREAS, According to the American Civil Liberties Union
18(ACLU), "Speech codes adopted by government-financed state
19colleges and universities amount to government censorship, in
20violation of the Constitution; the ACLU believes that all
21campuses should adhere to First Amendment principles because

 

 

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1academic freedom is a bedrock of education in a free society";
2and
 
3    WHEREAS, These policies are inherently at odds with the
4freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment of the
5Constitution, and they inhibit the free exchange of ideas at
6campuses across the country; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
8HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
9we condemn restrictive speech policies at institutions of
10higher education, and we urge those institutions with such
11policies in place to reverse their decisions; and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That it is in the interest of our State and our
13nation to have a well-informed population that has been exposed
14to all sides of an argument, as this can only lead to better
15perspective, better decision-making, and mutual respect on
16controversial issues; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
18delivered to the Chairperson of the Illinois Board of Higher
19Education, the Executive Director of the Illinois Community
20College Board, and the Presidents of Chicago State University,
21Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University,
22Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University,

 

 

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1Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University,
2the University of Illinois system, and Western Illinois
3University.