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.