Bill Text: IL SB1310 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: 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.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-02-06 - Referred to Assignments [SB1310 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SB1310-Introduced.html

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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.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Public
Higher Education Act.
Section 5. Intent. It is the intent of the General
Assembly that the requirements set forth in this Act should
apply equally to each public institution of higher education
in this State and to the governing board of each public
institution of higher education in this State, except as
otherwise provided in this Act.
Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:
"Governing board of each public institution of higher
education" means the Board of Trustees of the University of
Illinois, the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois
University, the Board of Trustees of Chicago State University,
the Board of Trustees of Eastern Illinois University, the
Board of Trustees of Governors State University, the Board of
Trustees of Illinois State University, the Board of Trustees
of Northeastern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of
Northern Illinois University, the Board of Trustees of Western
Illinois University, and the board of trustees of each

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