103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB1310
 
Introduced 2/6/2023, by Sen. Chapin Rose
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
New Act

     Creates the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that the intent of the Act is for the requirements of the Act to apply equally to the governing board of each public institution of higher education in this State unless the Act provides otherwise. Defines "governing board of each public institution of higher education" and "public institution of higher education". Prohibits a public university from punishing students for exercising their right to free speech. Effective immediately.
  


LRB103 24907 RJT 51241 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 

  
SB1310LRB103 24907 RJT 51241 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning education.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Public 
5Higher Education Act.
 
6    Section 5. Intent. It is the intent of the General 
7Assembly that the requirements set forth in this Act should 
8apply equally to each public institution of higher education 
9in this State and to the governing board of each public 
10institution of higher education in this State, except as 
11otherwise provided in this Act.
 
12    Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:
13    "Governing board of each public institution of higher 
14education" means the Board of Trustees of the University of 
15Illinois, the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois 
16University, the Board of Trustees of Chicago State University, 
17the Board of Trustees of Eastern Illinois University, the 
18Board of Trustees of Governors State University, the Board of 
19Trustees of Illinois State University, the Board of Trustees 
20of Northeastern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of 
21Northern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of Western 
22Illinois University, and the board of trustees of each 
 
 
SB1310- 2 -LRB103 24907 RJT 51241 b

1community college district in this State.
2    "Public institution of higher education" means the 
3University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago 
4State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State 
5University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois 
6University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois 
7University, a public community college in this State, or any 
8other public university, college, or community college now or 
9hereafter established or authorized by the General Assembly.
 
10    Section 15. Right of students to free speech. The 
11governing board of each public institution of higher 
12education, other than the board of trustees of a community 
13college district, is prohibited from punishing students for 
14exercising their right to free speech, including, without 
15limitation, by withholding transcripts or refunds or altering 
16a student's housing status, admission status, or current or 
17continuing status as an enrolled student at the public 
18institution of higher education.
 
 
19    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
20becoming law.