HB2280 - Campus Free Speech Act

• Creates the Campus Free Speech Act requiring all public universities and community colleges in Illinois to develop and adopt a written policy on free expression with specific required components.

• Policy must affirm that institutions cannot shield individuals from First Amendment-protected speech, establish that campuses are open forums for speakers, permit spontaneous expressive activity unless unlawful or materially disruptive, and include disciplinary procedures for those interfering with others' free expression rights.

• Mandates the Board of Higher Education establish a Committee on Free Expression with representatives from each public university and three community college representatives to issue annual reports on barriers to free expression, disciplinary actions, and institutional neutrality regarding political and social issues.

• Requires public institutions to include free expression policies in freshman orientation programs and specifies permissible speech restrictions limited to unprotected categories including unlawful conduct, defamation, harassment, true threats, privacy violations, unlawful disruption, and reasonable time-place-manner restrictions.

• Allows the Attorney General and individuals whose expressive rights are violated to sue institutions for violations, with courts authorized to award injunctive relief, court costs, attorney fees, and damages of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is higher, with a one-year statute of limitations.