SB 593 – Public Act 95-0668

Sponsored by Senator Cullerton and Representative Fritchey, Senate Bill 593 expanded the current definition of “public accommodation” in the Illinois Human Rights Act to cover professional offices (such as medical facilities and dental offices). Under the Illinois Human Rights Act, it is a civil rights violation to deny or refuse full and equal enjoyment of any “place of public accommodation” on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status, sexual orientation, and gender-related identity.

Learn more about the expanded definition of "public accommodation" in the Illinois Human Rights Act.

SB 121 – Public Act 95-0658

Sponsored by Senator Raoul and Representative Fritchey, Senate Bill 121 corrects an anomaly in Illinois law that defines sexual “predator” (all of whom must register for life) to include children as young as 12, who must register for life as sex offenders. This bill allows youth on a sex offender registry to petition for removal two years after being on the registry for misdemeanors or five years for felonies.
Learn more about minors registered as sex offenders.

SB 729 – Public Act 95-0580

Sponsored by Senator Garrett and Representative Jakobson, Senate Bill 729 established the College Campus Press Act, which designated all student-run newspapers at state-funded colleges to be public forums, allowing them to operate without prior restraint and review. The act also clarifies what speech is attributable to student and to the campus, prohibits retaliation against student or media advisory for seeking legal redress, and establishes immunity for colleges from suits arising from most content in student papers.

Learn more about the College Campus Press Act.