Tag: Illinois

Illinois has a law protecting student press freedom, so why is censorship still happening?

The exterior of the Illinois capitol building on a sunny day
News

ILLINOIS — In 2016, Illinois passed the Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act, which protects student journalists at public schools from censorship by their administration. But the language in the law does not protect advisers from retaliation over news stories their students produce. Those protections were initially part of HB 5902, but were stripped from… Continue reading Illinois has a law protecting student press freedom, so why is censorship still happening?

Illinois school district censors student newspaper. Is it a violation of the New Voices law?

The Central Times student newspaper staff / Vivian Zhao
News

ILLINOIS — A school district censored an article published in a high school newspaper, then locked away the print issues for nearly 24 hours, which students say violated their rights as journalists. The Central Times is the student newspaper at Naperville Central High School in a western suburb of Chicago. The paper’s Editor-in-Chief Vivian Zhao… Continue reading Illinois school district censors student newspaper. Is it a violation of the New Voices law?

Illinois governor signs landmark measure protecting high school journalists against censorship

Makin' the Law: Illinois governor signs landmark measure protecting high school journalists against censorship
Journalism educators celebrated after a Senate committee vote approving the New Voices of Illinois press freedom bill, which on Friday cleared the Senate on a 51-0 vote with one abstention.
New Voices imports

An Illinois bill protecting student journalists’ rights was signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner Friday and is effective immediately. The state had existing protections for college journalists, but the bill adds similar protections for students in public high schools as well. Students in public high schools will now have a legally protected right to choose what… Continue reading Illinois governor signs landmark measure protecting high school journalists against censorship

Hazelwood Inspires Student’s Testimony
New Voices imports

When Hope Johnson was a freshman in high school, her journalism instructor taught her class the history of American journalism. But one lesson in history stuck out the most to her, and even struck a nerve. The Hazelwood case. “It made me slightly angry, but mostly confused,” said Johnson. “I was under the impression that… Continue reading Hazelwood Inspires Student’s Testimony

Student press freedom bill bound for Illinois governor’s desk

Illinois state Sen. Daniel Biss (right) shares a celebratory moment with Stan Zoller, legislative chair of the Illinois Journalism Education Association, after a key vote advancing HB 5902, the Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act.
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One of the nation's strongest laws protecting the independence of high school journalism is on its way to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk after the state House gave its final approval Tuesday. HB 5902 passed the House 117-0 after its sponsor, Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, asked his colleagues to accept Senate-approved amendments that paved the… Continue reading Student press freedom bill bound for Illinois governor’s desk

Unanimous Senate vote leaves Illinois student press freedom legislation on the verge of becoming law

Makin' the Law: Illinois governor signs landmark measure protecting high school journalists against censorship
Journalism educators celebrated after a Senate committee vote approving the New Voices of Illinois press freedom bill, which on Friday cleared the Senate on a 51-0 vote with one abstention.
News

Without opposition, the Illinois Senate ratified a bill Friday protecting the editorial independence of high school journalists and advisers, putting the measure one technicality away from Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk. House Bill 5902 needs only a perfunctory House vote agreeing to non-controversial amendments added in the Senate. The House had earlier passed its version of the bill 114-0,… Continue reading Unanimous Senate vote leaves Illinois student press freedom legislation on the verge of becoming law

Student press freedom bill unanimously clears Senate committee as school lobbyists drop opposition

Sally Renaud and Stan Zoller of the Illinois Journalism Education Association strategize at the Illinois Capitol after a student press rights bill won unanimous Senate committee approval.
News

ILLINOIS -- Legal protection for Illinois high school journalists cleared its toughest legislative hurdle Tuesday and is headed for the Senate floor. Two weeks after giving House Bill 5902 a skeptical hearing that cast doubt on its prospects, members of the Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed the measure, setting up a Senate floor vote that… Continue reading Student press freedom bill unanimously clears Senate committee as school lobbyists drop opposition