Harris introduces the Campus Demonstration Act

• Athletes
• Higher Education
• Campus Demonstration Act
• Scholarships

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) introduced legislation that protects college students’ freedom of speech and would prohibit colleges from revoking athletic and academic scholarships as a result of protesting.

Senate Bill 2279 came about after Republican lawmakers in Missouri filed legislation intended to punish African American football players who demanded the resignation of the head of the university after inaction against racism on campus.

“Universities should remain strongholds for progress and freedom of speech,” said Harris, a former Northwestern University football player. “Students shouldn’t be treated like property for earning scholarships. I want to make sure it’s clear that students’ rights are a high priority in Illinois.”

Harris noted that many students on athletic and academic scholarships come from low-income backgrounds and depend on their scholarships as their only means to a college education.

“Legislation like what was introduced in Missouri is unconstitutional,” Harris said. “All students have the right to have their voices heard and no administration should be given the authority to silence them. I want to shut this down before anyone gets any dumb ideas here.”

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Harris supports funding MAP grants

• MAP
• Higher Education

SPRINGFIELD – Today, State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) supported legislation that would release Monetary Award Program funding to universities throughout the state.

“Providing low-income students the means to afford a college education should be a priority for any elected official,” Harris said. “We’ve forced these students and universities to wait for this aid for far too long. I’m proud to support people who are trying to better themselves and our communities.”

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Senator Napoleon Harris III responds to the State of the State Address

Springfield, IL - In response to Governor Rauner’s State of the State address, Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey) has released the following statement:

“This isn’t the time to talk. Words don’t feed seniors, keep college students in school or provide childcare for working families. We’ve heard a lot of talk in the last year, but haven’t seen action. He has yet to grasp the reality of our situation. The lack of a state budget is affecting communities and destroying services people in need depend on. It’s disappointing that the governor believes his agenda comes before the most vulnerable lives in our state. I’m tired of it. We need a budget, not more speeches and not more press conferences.”

Harris: Education funding reform is a priority

• education
• budget
• education funding

Senate President John Cullerton addressed the Chicago City Club today. Cullerton’s speech focused on education funding reform as a priority for legislature. State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) reacted to the speech with the following:

“Affording children a quality education has been one of my priorities since becoming a state senator. I applaud President Cullerton for focusing on the issue in his City Club speech today. I’m currently working with Senator Manar to produce legislation that would secure a fair, adequate and well-funded education for all children,” State Senator Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey) said. “Our education funding formula doesn’t work, and it’s hurting the poorest kids in our state. We can’t continue to ignore this issue. Our state’s future is at stake.”