A law signed by Governor Bruce Rauner last week gives high school journalists rights they haven't had since 1988. That's when a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court dictated that student publications could be censored by school administrators.
But Illinois has become the 10th state to restore free speech rights to student media. Stan Zoller, with the Illinois Journalism Education Association, helped guide the legislation.
“You know, now that the scholastic journalists have this capability, hopefully that’ll be a huge asset to them. And it’s especially important this year with the election fast approaching.”
The law still bans content that is libelous, slanderous or obscene, that incites unlawful activities or invades privacy. It passed through both chambers of the General Assembly unanimously.
