SB2202 - 104th General Assembly

ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Last Action
6/02/2025 - Senate: Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Senate Sponsors
Sen. Graciela Guzmán and Rachel Ventura
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
New Act
110 ILCS 205/9.46 new
110 ILCS 205/9.47 new
110 ILCS 805/2-12from Ch. 122, par. 102-12
110 ILCS 805/3-22.4 new
Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Academic Freedom of Expression Act. Prohibits a public institution of higher education or private institution of higher education from making or enforcing a rule subjecting a student to disciplinary sanctions solely on the basis of conduct that is speech or other communication that, when engaged in outside the campus or facility of the institution, is protected from governmental restriction by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Allows a student enrolled in a private postsecondary institution at the time that the institution has made or enforced any rule violating the Act to commence a civil action to obtain appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief as determined by the court. Sets forth exceptions. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Grants the following powers to the Board of Higher Education: the power to adopt policies protecting academic freedom of speech; the power to support the Illinois Community College Board in developing its academic freedom of speech policies; and the power to establish and enforce rules requiring private institutions of higher education to develop and implement plans related to academic freedom of speech within a reasonable deadline. Amends the Public Community College Act. Grants the following power to the Illinois Community College Board: the power to create and enforce rules which ensure that all faculty members are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject where such freedom shall be extended within the confines of the course outcomes, degree or program requirements, and accreditation requirements; and the power to create and enforce rules which ensure that faculty members and students are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results.
Actions
Date Chamber Action
2/07/2025 Senate Filed with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
2/07/2025 Senate First Reading
2/07/2025 Senate Referred to Assignments
2/11/2025 Senate Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
4/08/2025 Senate Assigned to Executive
4/08/2025 Senate Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 11, 2025
4/11/2025 Senate Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 9, 2025
5/09/2025 Senate Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 23, 2025
5/23/2025 Senate Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As June 1, 2025
6/02/2025 Senate Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments