Senate Bill 2202

The Illinois state conference of the American Association of University Professors strongly supports Illinois SB 2202, the Academic Freedom of Expression Act. At a time when academic freedom is under attack across the country, the Academic Freedom of Expression Act is an important way for legislators to express support for academic freedom and ensure its protection at public colleges in Illinois by codifying AAUP standards to defend faculty.

SB 2202 would ensure that faculty academic freedom in teaching and research is protected, and prohibit colleges from disciplining faculty members for extramural speech protected by the First Amendment.

The bill is sponsored by Senator Graciela Guzmán, and it has widespread support because the principles of academic freedom are not controversial. However, it will not pass without active pressure from advocates for academic freedom in Illinois.

To help pass this bill, you must contact your Illinois State Senator (not US Senators Tammy Duckworth or Dick Durbin). You can look up your Illinois state senator here:

https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/

The Illinois Conference of the AAUP encourages you to call the Springfield office phone number of your Illinois State Senator and urge them to vote “YES” on SB 2202, the Academic Freedom of Expression Act. You can also email your state senator as a constituent to vote YES on SB 2202, but a brief phone call from a constituent carries greater weight. 

The state of Illinois has an opportunity to become a leader protecting academic freedom when other states are destroying this concept that is fundamental to intellectual liberty and the work of higher education institutions.