Bill Text: IL HB4560 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act. Requires each school board to adopt a written policy for the right of student journalists to exercise the freedoms of speech and the press in school-sponsored media. Sets forth specific requirements for the policy. Prohibits the dismissal, suspension, discipline, reassignment, or transfer of or other retaliation against a student media adviser for (i) refusing to infringe on conduct or (ii) acting to protect a student journalist engaged in conduct that is protected under the Act or the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Sets forth provisions concerning injunctive and declaratory relief.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-02-18 - Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee [HB4560 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HB4560-Introduced.html

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102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2021 and 2022 HB4560 Introduced , by Rep. Will Guzzardi SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
105 ILCS 80/7 new
105 ILCS 80/13 new
105 ILCS 80/17 new
Amends the Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act. Requires each school board to adopt a written policy for the right of student journalists to exercise the freedoms of speech and the press in school-sponsored media. Sets forth specific requirements for the policy. Prohibits the dismissal, suspension, discipline, reassignment, or transfer of or other retaliation against a student media adviser for (i) refusing to infringe on conduct or (ii) acting to protect a student journalist engaged in conduct that is protected under the Act or the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Sets forth provisions concerning injunctive and declaratory relief.
LRB102 23993 CMG 33199 b
A BILL FOR
HB4560 LRB102 23993 CMG 33199 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act is
amended by adding Sections 7, 13, and 17 as follows:
(105 ILCS 80/7 new)
Sec. 7. School policy. Each school board shall adopt a
written policy for the right of student journalists to
exercise the freedoms of speech and the press in
school-sponsored media in accordance with this Act. The policy
must include:
(1) reasonable provisions for the time, place, and
manner of distribution of student expression; and
(2) a provision allowing for the timely appeal within
the school district of decisions made pursuant to this
Act.
(105 ILCS 80/13 new)
Sec. 13. Adviser protection. A student media adviser may
not be dismissed, suspended, disciplined, reassigned,
transferred, or otherwise retaliated against for:
(1) refusing to infringe on conduct that is protected
under this Act or the First Amendment to the United States

HB4560 - 2 - LRB102 23993 CMG 33199 b
Constitution; or
(2) acting to protect a student journalist engaged in
permissible conduct under this Act or the First Amendment
to the United States Constitution.
(105 ILCS 80/17 new)
Sec. 17. Injunctive and declaratory relief. Any student,
parent or guardian of a student, or student media adviser may
institute proceedings for injunctive or declaratory relief in
any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the rights
provided in this Act. Nothing in this Section shall be
construed to create a private right of action on behalf of a
student other than to seek injunctive or declaratory relief
allowing the publication of the speech in question. A
prevailing plaintiff may be awarded reasonable attorney's fees
as the court may allow.