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.

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.