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.

SB 1434 – Public Act 95-0580

Sponsored by Senator Cullerton and Representative Franks, Senate Bill 1434 created the Citizen Participation Act, which allows expedited motions to dismiss Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), lawsuits that are aimed at discouraging citizen petitioning of government. The bill allows the petitioners to avoid SLAPPs, unless the SLAPPers can prove the petitioner was not genuinely seeking to affect government policy.

Learn more about the Citizen Participation Act.

SB 1467 – Public Act 95-0541

Sponsored by Senator Harmon and Representative Froehlich, Senate Bill 1467 amended the Illinois Civil Rights Act of 2003 to include a ban on gender discrimination by any unit of government.

Learn more about the amendment to the Illinois Civil Rights Act.