Bill > HB2607

This bill, titled the Campus Free Speech Protection Act, establishes comprehensive guidelines for protecting free speech at public higher education institutions in Illinois. The bill requires governing boards of these institutions to adopt policies by January 1, 2026 that ensure broad protections for students' and faculty's freedom of expression, including maintaining a robust "marketplace of ideas" where diverse and potentially controversial viewpoints can be freely discussed without fear of discrimination or suppression. Key provisions mandate that institutions allow students and faculty to speak, write, challenge, and discuss any issue, protect student religious and political organizations from discrimination, ensure viewpoint-neutral speaker selection, and maintain open outdoor campus areas as traditional public forums for free speech. The bill prohibits institutions from disinviting speakers, charging fees based on speech content, or restricting speech beyond reasonable, content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions. It also provides legal remedies for individuals who believe their free speech rights have been violated, allowing them to file a lawsuit within one year of a violation, seeking damages and attorney's fees. The bill defines key terms like "faculty" and "student" broadly and applies to all public universities, colleges, and community colleges in Illinois, aiming to create a more open and inclusive academic environment that prioritizes the constitutional right to free expression.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2607&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104