IllinoisHB4420104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

COLLEGE PRESS ACT-PUBLIC MEDIA

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the College Campus Press Act. Defines "public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning". Provides that all public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is a public forum for expression by the employees producing the media at the institution of higher learning. Provides that public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is not subject to prior review by public officials of the State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Allows an employee or agent of an entity creating or distributing public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning to commence a civil action to obtain appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief as determined by a court for violation of the Act by such State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Provides that expression made by an employee or agent of an entity creating or distributing public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is neither expression of campus policy nor speech attributable to a State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Provides that a State-sponsored institution of higher learning is immune from any lawsuit arising from expression actually made in public media produced at a State-sponsored institution of higher learning. Makes other changes.

higher educationassignmentsexecutive

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More speech protection for campus media

Student-produced campus media and qualifying public media are public forums for expression by the people who produce them. Public officials at state-sponsored colleges cannot review this media before release. Contributors’ speech does not count as the college’s policy or speech. Students, advisers, and qualifying public media employees or agents can ask a court for relief when the protections are violated; a court may award attorney’s fees to a prevailing party.

Limits lawsuits over campus media

State-sponsored colleges are protected from lawsuits arising from expression actually made in campus media or qualifying public media produced there. This protection does not apply when the college itself is the speaker.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • David Koehler

    Democratic • Senate

  • Emanuel "Chris" Welch

    Democratic • House

  • Gregg Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Jehan Gordon-Booth

    Democratic • House

  • Karina Villa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Stuart

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Edly-Allen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michael W. Halpin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sharon Chung

    Democratic • House

  • Steve Stadelman

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 134 • No: 59

Senate vote • 5/20/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 39 • No: 19

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Do Pass Executive;

Yes: 9 • No: 4

House vote • 4/16/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 75 • No: 36

House vote • 3/19/2026

Do Pass / Short Debate Higher Education Committee;

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0488

    6/26/2026House
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

    6/26/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    6/26/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/18/2026House
  5. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Steve Stadelman

    6/1/2026Senate
  6. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

    5/31/2026Senate
  7. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin

    5/31/2026Senate
  8. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa

    5/20/2026Senate
  9. Passed Both Houses

    5/20/2026House
  10. Third Reading - Passed; 039-019-000

    5/20/2026Senate
  11. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026

    5/14/2026Senate
  12. Second Reading

    5/14/2026Senate
  13. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026

    5/6/2026Senate
  14. Do Pass Executive; 009-004-000

    5/6/2026Senate
  15. Assigned to Executive

    4/28/2026Senate
  16. Referred to Assignments

    4/21/2026Senate
  17. First Reading

    4/21/2026Senate
  18. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. David Koehler

    4/21/2026Senate
  19. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

    4/21/2026Senate
  20. Arrive in Senate

    4/21/2026Senate
  21. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 075-036-000

    4/16/2026House
  22. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Katie Stuart

    4/8/2026House
  23. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Gregg Johnson

    4/8/2026House
  24. Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth

    4/8/2026House
  25. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    4/7/2026House

Bill Text

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