SB2202Introduced in the Senate
ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Introduced by Graciela Guzman, District 20
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
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.
Where it stands
Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments
July 2, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
SenateStage: Senate Executive Committee · May 29, 2026
13
Yes
0
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
13 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Mattie Hunter | 3 | Yes |
| Kimberly Lightford | 4 | Yes |
| Robert Peters | 13 | Yes |
| Napoleon Harris | 15 | Yes |
| William Cunningham | 18 | Yes |
| Cristina Castro | 22 | Yes |
| Laura Murphy | 28 | Yes |
| Susan Rezin | 38 | Yes |
| Don Harmon | 39 | Yes |
| John Curran | 41 | Yes |
Bill history
Filed with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
First Reading
Referred to Assignments
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
Assigned to Executive
Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 11, 2025
Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 9, 2025
Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 23, 2025
Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As June 1, 2025
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Re-assigned to Executive
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert Peters
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Executive
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Executive
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Postponed - Executive
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Adopted
Do Pass as Amended Executive; 009-003-000
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 12, 2026
Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Assignments
Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Assignments Refers to Executive
Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommend Do Adopt Executive; 012-000-000
Second Reading
Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted; Guzman
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 28, 2026
Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 8, 2026
Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 15, 2026
Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Referred to Assignments
Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Assignments Refers to Executive
Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 22, 2026
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael E. Hastings
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton
Senate Floor Amendment No. 5 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Senate Floor Amendment No. 5 Referred to Assignments
Senate Floor Amendment No. 5 Assignments Refers to Executive
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Postponed - Executive
Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Postponed - Executive
Senate Floor Amendment No. 5 Recommend Do Adopt Executive; 013-000-000
Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 31, 2026
Senate Floor Amendment No. 6 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Graciela Guzmán
Senate Floor Amendment No. 6 Referred to Assignments
Senate Floor Amendment No. 6 Assignments Refers to Executive
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert F. Martwick
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio
Senate Floor Amendment No. 6 Recommend Do Adopt Executive; 013-000-000
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-9(b) / Referred to Assignments
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