Bill Status of SB 2202   104th General Assembly

Short Description:  ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Senate Sponsors
Sen. Graciela Guzmán and Rachel Ventura

Last Action  View All Actions

DateChamber Action
  6/2/2025SenateRule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
New Act
110 ILCS 205/9.45 new
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 
DateChamber Action
  2/7/2025SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
  2/7/2025SenateFirst Reading
  2/7/2025SenateReferred to Assignments
  2/11/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
  4/8/2025SenateAssigned to Executive
  4/8/2025SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 11, 2025
  4/11/2025SenateRule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 9, 2025
  5/9/2025SenateRule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 23, 2025
  5/23/2025SenateRule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As June 1, 2025
  6/2/2025SenateRule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments

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