In the wake of the events on Jan. 6 in our nation's capital, the IJEA wishes to express its wholehearted support of the recent statement by JEA President Sarah Nichols on this topic. We are proud to stand with JEA in this and all matters regarding the role of a free press in the defense of democratic values.
Never before have the media and the First Amendment come under such ridicule and hatred by a sitting president. During Scholastic Journalism Week — Feb. 19 to 25 — scholastic media outlets should encourage their audiences to become civically engaged and contact lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to let them know that an assault on the First Amendment is not only an attack on professional journalists but on the nation’s students as well.
Note: This information is courtesy of Frank LoMonte of the Student Press Law Center. If you have additional questions, please contact the SPLC through their legal request site, by email, or call (202)...
Public Act 099-0678
HB5902 As Passed
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may...
By Amanda Bright, IJEA Co-Secretary and Region 5 Board Member
• July 29, 2016
HB5902, the Speech Rights of Student Journalist Act, became law in Illinois on July 29. Gov. Bruce Rauner's signature means that student journalists and their advisers are protected against arbitrary censorship;...
By Amanda Bright, IJEA Co-Secretary and Region 5 Board Member
• June 28, 2016
From an idea to a public act signed by the governor into law, take a look at the journey of the Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act through the lens of Twitter. (Click on the Storify logo to access.)
By Amanda Bright, IJEA Co-Secretary and Region 5 Board Member
• June 28, 2016
From Stan Zoller, Chair of the IJEA Legislation Committee:
A picture is worth a thousand words. Gov. Bruce Rauner has 60 days to sign, veto or take no action on the Speech Rights of Student Journalists...
By Amanda Bright, IJEA Co-Secretary and Region 5 Board Member
• June 1, 2016
A story that started just six short months ago is now nearing its resolution.
The Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act was drafted to guarantee that scholastic journalists are not restricted by...
By Amanda Bright, IJEA Co-Secretary and Region 5 Board Member
• May 28, 2016
The IJEA Chair of the Legislation Committee, Stan Zoller, sends this update after the full Illinois Senate's unanimous passage of HB 5902 on May 27:
The Senate passed HB5902 today by a margin of 51-0-1.
The...
By Amanda Bright, IJEA Co-Secretary and Region 5 Board Member
• May 6, 2016
From Stan Zoller, JEA Director-at-Large and IJEA Member:
The Illinois Senate Committee hearing for the Speech Rights for Student Journalists Act is 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10 and is scheduled...
By Amanda Bright, IJEA Co-Secretary and Region 5 Board Member
• April 19, 2016
After the 114-0 vote in the Illinois House of Representatives on April 19, another step was taken on the path to ensuring free speech protections to the ethical and hardworking student journalists in Illinois.
The...
By Amanda Bright, IJEA Co-Secretary and Region 5 Board Member
• April 18, 2016
The Speech Rights for Scholastic Journalists Act, HB 5902, passed in the Illinois House on April 19, by a 114-0 vote.
The bill also picked up two more sponsors for a total of seven sponsors, five...
