ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

From the Legislature

Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that every faculty member of a public institution of higher education has the right to certain freedoms without fear of direct or indirect retaliation by the institution or discipline up to and including termination. Provides that every student of a public institution of higher education has the right to certain freedoms without fear of direct or indirect retaliation by the institution or discipline. Prohibits, with exceptions, a State officer or employee, member of a State governing or coordinating board, or institutional administrator from penalizing any faculty member of a public institution of higher education concerning the specific content of, viewpoints presented in, or method of the faculty member's teaching or scholarship, except as necessary to ensure that a faculty member's teaching or scholarship is reasonably germane to the faculty member's field or fields of study or assigned instructional responsibilities and that non-germane speech does not comprise a substantial portion of classroom instruction or to comply with applicable law. Requires the governing board of each public institution of higher education to adopt or amend institutional policies to incorporate these rights and obligations by July 1, 2027. Provides that each public institution of higher education shall submit the institution's policies on academic freedom to the Illinois Community College Board or the Board of Higher Education, whichever is applicable, by July 1, 2027 and within 60 days after any subsequent revisions to the policy. Provides that a faculty member or student of a public institution of higher education at the time that the institution has made or enforced any rule in violation of the amendatory provisions may commence a civil action to obtain appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief as determined by a court if the faculty member or student has first exhausted applicable institutional grievance or administrative review procedures or remedies available under any applicable collective bargaining agreement. Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that recognition by the State Board of community colleges shall include a review of a community college's compliance with the amendatory provisions. Makes other changes.