National Lawyers Guild Chicago strongly opposes HB3023. This legislation raises significant concerns regarding free speech rights and is ripe for potential misuse. If passed, this legislation would deter Illinoisans from engaging in First Amendment protected activity. While attacks on free speech are always concerning, this bill is particularly troubling given the attacks on our democracy the US is currently facing from the Trump administration.
We believe that this legislation could have a chilling effect and deter residents from engaging in protests, assemblies, or the dissemination of controversial ideas due to fear of legal repercussions. HB3023 establishes relief through civil litigation, which could be exploited to suppress dissenting voices through frivolous lawsuits. One of the most concerning aspects of this legislation is that it fails to clearly limit or narrow the liability of potential defendants. This ambiguity opens the door for wealthy interests to attack the rights of students, unions, and neighborhood, community, or political organizations they do not agree with, should a wealthy individual subjectively feel like the mere presence of such a group is “threatening.”
National Lawyers Guild Chicago urges Illinois legislators to protect free-expression and vote no on HB3023.
