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March 19, 2024

First Amendment Attack: Makes Criminal The Distribution Of Flyers, Educating, Or Protesting In School Zones –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On September 22, 2021

SPRINGFIELD, IL. (ECWd) –

Illinois State Representative Terra Costa Howard introduced House Bill 4151, with the following Representatives as Co-Sponsors: Daniel DidechAnn M. WilliamsBob MorganMargaret CrokeSam YinglingKathleen Willis and Anne Stava-Murray

HB4151 will make it a crime to orally protest, pass out flyers or handbills, carry a sign, or protest within 300 feet of a school zone.

This is nothing more than an attack on the First Amendment.

People have a first amendment right to peacefully protest, and we can see a scenario where school officials will be determining which types of protests, signs, or handbills they will allow, and also where they consider those with opposing views as criminals.

Particularly at a time when were are seeing more students protesting or staging walk-outs (recent examples are herehere, here, here, here), this Bill does not exempt students or employees of the school from criminal prosecution by simply protesting or carrying a sign in a school zone.

Time will tell if amendments are introduced to exempt students or to bastardize the definition of “protest.”

Synopsis As Introduced:

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of disorderly conduct in a school zone. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she: (1) knowingly displays signs, engages in oral protest, education, or passing leaflets or handbills within 300 feet of school premises, from one hour prior to the start of the school day until one hour after the school day ends; or (2) knowingly approaches within 8 feet of an individual who is within 300 feet of school premises for purposes of displaying signs, engaging in oral protest, education, or passing leaflets or handbills, from one hour prior to the start of the school day until one hour after the school day ends. Provides that disorderly conduct in a school zone is a Class A misdemeanor. Defines “school”. Contains a severability provision. Effective immediately.

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11 Comments
  • Paul Kersey
    Posted at 08:06h, 23 September

    FASCISTS!!!!

  • PK
    Posted at 08:29h, 23 September

    Seriously? Given the bill target schools, the synopsis “(1) knowingly display signs, engage in oral protest, ….” couldn’t be more absurd. Perhaps the bill sponsorship are the only people who could display signs, engage in oral protest, etc. and then claim they didn’t know they’re were doing so.

  • Mags
    Posted at 09:31h, 23 September

    Illinois is going deeper and deeper into dystopia. Who can reign them in? When does the Constitution take over lawless legislation? Lord help us.

  • Pete Marwick
    Posted at 09:47h, 23 September

    Does this include unions putting up the rats?

  • Tony
    Posted at 10:07h, 23 September

    Wonder what they do to residents that have homes next to schools that start displays.

    If this passed, and it shouldn’t, it should be overturned relatively easily…2 years after passage.

  • Roger
    Posted at 10:54h, 23 September

    Wonder if carrying a blank sign board would count… asking for a friend

  • Mags
    Posted at 13:49h, 23 September

    She had nothing to say about the BLM riots last year. Weren’t they exercising their first amendment? That is what we were told. Going down slippery slopes here with our freedoms. People wake up and see this for what it is. Tyranny and lawlessness.

  • Dave
    Posted at 16:25h, 23 September

    They are our enemy

  • Jan S
    Posted at 20:36h, 23 September

    Not too long ago there was talk about “Action Civics” – teachers giving students course credit for participating in protests (like BLM)
    So they promote the concept only when they get to pick the target.

  • Dennis Finegan
    Posted at 22:51h, 23 September

    This is nothing more than an attempt to silence protest and will fail at the first court case. I suspect that legislators with actual knowledge of the law won’t let something as ridiculous as this ever pass.

  • Laura
    Posted at 14:45h, 29 September

    Rules for Thee….
    Yet, here she is INSIDE COD rallying with teacher’s union
    https://twitter.com/codfacultyassoc/status/1177389516312780800?lang=en

    She also spoke at Peaceful Protests (mostly!) in Lombard and Glen Ellyn with BLM

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