ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that every faculty member or accredited academic unit of a public institution of higher education has the right to freedom in teaching, freedom in research, and freedom of expression on matters of public concern. Prohibits, with exceptions, a State officer or employee, member of a State governing or coordinating board, or institutional administrator from directing, coercing, or penalizing any faculty member concerning the specific content, viewpoint, or method of the faculty member's teaching or scholarship. Requires the governing board of each public institution of higher education to adopt or amend institutional policies to incorporate these rights and obligations. Allows a faculty member, academic unit, or recognized faculty organization aggrieved by a violation to bring a civil action in the circuit court of any county in which the public institution of higher education is located for injunctive relief, damages, reinstatement, or reasonable attorney's fees. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to adopt rules requiring the governing board of each public university to adopt policies protecting academic freedom of speech and rules requiring private institutions of higher education to develop and implement plans related to academic freedom of speech. Amends the Public Community College Act. Grants to the Illinois Community College Board the power and duty to (i) adopt rules that ensure that all faculty members of a community college are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject and (ii) adopt rules that ensure that faculty members and students at a community college are entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results of that research. Requires the board of trustees of a community college district to adopt all necessary rules that are at least as stringent as the Illinois Community College Board's rules.