Bill Text: IL HB4174 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Creates the Prohibition on State Interference in Museum Content Act. Sets forth the purpose of the Act. Defines "museum" as an institution or entity located in the State that: (1) is operated by the State, a local governmental unit, a non-profit corporation, a trust, an association, or an educational institution that receives State funds; (2) is operated primarily for educational, scientific, historic preservation, cultural, or aesthetic purposes; and (3) owns, borrows, cares for, exhibits, studies, archives, or catalogues property. Provides that "museum" includes, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following institutions or entities that receive State funds: historical societies; historic sites; landmarks; parks; archives; monuments; botanical gardens; arboreta; zoos; nature centers; planetaria; aquaria; libraries; technology centers; and art, history, science, and natural history museums. Provides that a State or local governmental unit shall not interfere in the creation or content of (i) exhibits and programming in museums or (ii) events in museums that are related to race, gender, or historical events. Provides that a museum shall base its exhibits and programming on credible scholarship and inclusive narratives. Provides that a museum shall prioritize partnerships between the museum and historians, educators, and cultural leaders regarding exhibits in the museum to ensure that the exhibits are balanced and fact-based. Effective January 1, 2027.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2025-12-04 - Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford [HB4174 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HB4174-Introduced.html

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB4174 Introduced , by Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
New Act
Creates the Prohibition on State Interference in Museum Content Act. Sets forth the purpose of the Act. Defines "museum" as an institution or entity located in the State that: (1) is operated by the State, a local governmental unit, a non-profit corporation, a trust, an association, or an educational institution that receives State funds; (2) is operated primarily for educational, scientific, historic preservation, cultural, or aesthetic purposes; and (3) owns, borrows, cares for, exhibits, studies, archives, or catalogues property. Provides that "museum" includes, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following institutions or entities that receive State funds: historical societies; historic sites; landmarks; parks; archives; monuments; botanical gardens; arboreta; zoos; nature centers; planetaria; aquaria; libraries; technology centers; and art, history, science, and natural history museums. Provides that a State or local governmental unit shall not interfere in the creation or content of (i) exhibits and programming in museums or (ii) events in museums that are related to race, gender, or historical events. Provides that a museum shall base its exhibits and programming on credible scholarship and inclusive narratives. Provides that a museum shall prioritize partnerships between the museum and historians, educators, and cultural leaders regarding exhibits in the museum to ensure that the exhibits are balanced and fact-based. Effective January 1, 2027.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning State government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Prohibition on State Interference in Museum Content Act.
Section 5. Purpose. The General Assembly declares that it
is the public policy of the State to protect the integrity of
museum content against political censorship by (i) prohibiting
governmental interference in museum exhibits and programming
and events related to race, gender, or historical events, (ii)
requiring museums that receive funding from the State to base
exhibits on credible scholarship and inclusive narratives, and
(iii) encouraging partnerships between museums and historians,
educators, and cultural leaders to ensure balanced, fact-based
exhibits.
Section 10. Definitions.
As used in this Act:
"Local governmental unit" means any county, municipality,
township, special district, school district, or community
college.
"Museum" means an institution or entity located in this
State that:

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(1) is operated by the State, a local governmental
unit, a non-profit corporation, a trust, an association,
or an educational institution that receives State funds;
(2) is operated primarily for educational, scientific,
historic preservation, cultural, or aesthetic purposes;
and
(3) owns, borrows, cares for, exhibits, studies,
archives, or catalogues property.
"Museum" includes, but is not limited to, any one or more
of the following institutions or entities that receive State
funds: historical societies; historic sites; landmarks; parks;
archives; monuments; botanical gardens; arboreta; zoos; nature
centers; planetaria; aquaria; libraries; technology centers;
and art, history, science, and natural history museums.
Section 15. Prohibition on State interference. Neither the
State nor a local governmental unit shall interfere in the
creation or content of (i) exhibits and programming in a
museum or (ii) events in museums that are related to race,
gender, or historical events.
Section 20. Publicly funded museums. A museum shall base
its exhibits and programming on credible scholarship and
inclusive narratives.
Section 25. Partnerships. A museum shall prioritize

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partnerships between the museum and historians, educators, and
cultural leaders regarding exhibits in the museum to ensure
that the exhibits are balanced and fact-based.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January
1, 2027.