Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Supports First-of-Its-Kind Legislation
NORMAL, Ill., May 20, 2026 – The Illinois Public Broadcasting Council announces the passage of HB 4420, an amendment to the College Campus Press Act. The Act passed by the Illinois General Assembly now extends robust editorial protections to professional (non-student) public media employees affiliated with state institutions of higher learning. This is the first law of its kind in the nation and establishes Illinois as a leader in insulating public media from undue political influence and pressure.
Expanded press protections are necessary given the critical role public media licensed to universities plays in the dissemination of news and other information beyond college campuses. Nearly half of all National Public Radio (NPR) member stations are licensed through or otherwise affiliated with colleges and universities. In Illinois, eight colleges and universities operate radio and television stations that are now protected under this legislation.
Colleges and universities themselves face political pressure and threats to their academic freedom. Amending Illinois law establishes a necessary and robust “firewall” between public universities and their affiliated or licensed newsrooms, which will help protect the free flow of information generally and the freedom of public media specifically. Firewalls are necessary to ensure the actual and perceived independence of news outlets receiving public funding.
“News deserts are rising in Illinois, and public media is one of the last, best chances we have to keep communities engaged and informed regardless of their ability to pay for news and programming,” said Illinois Public Broadcasting Council President Heather Norman. “The College Campus Press Act expansion is one more tool in the toolbox that will help bolster public media for future generations, and we thank bill sponsors Sen. Dave Koehler and Rep. Sharon Chung, many co-sponsors, as well as all bill supporters for their leadership.”
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press also supported the legislation. Vice President of Policy Gabe Rottman shared “press freedom is alive and well in Illinois, and residents should feel confident about future access to factual, local journalism that is free from interference.” Rottman continued, “Illinois would be a national leader with this crucial, first-of-its-kind legislation to safeguard the editorial independence of public media.”
HB 4420 will be signed into law in the coming months.
About IPBC
The Illinois Public Broadcasting Council consists of 12 public radio and television stations located throughout the state. Members include: Illinois Public Media at University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign, NPR Illinois at University of Illinois Springfield, Northern Public Media at Northern Illinois University, Tri States Public Radio at Western Illinois University, WBEZ Chicago Public Media, WCBU a joint service of Bradley University and Illinois State University, WDCB at College of DuPage, WGLT at Illinois State University, WSIU at Southern Illinois University, WVIK at Augustana College, WTTW Chicago Public Television, and WTVP Peoria Public Television.
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