State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) recently pre-filed legislation to ban convicted terrorists from teaching in Illinois’ public universities and community college system.
“Convicted terrorists should not be teaching in our classrooms,” said Rep. Meier. “Using public funds to pay a convicted terrorist to teach our next generation is an insult to our country. My bill seeks to ban convicted terrorists from teaching in our public higher education system.”
Representative Meier introduced the legislation as a result of the University of Illinois rehiring a professor who was a former member of a terrorist organization named the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA). In 1975, the professor (SLA member) served six years in prison for his involvement in a bank robbery which resulted in the death of a woman.
Rep. Meier added, “allowing a convicted terrorist to teach at one of our country’s premier institutions is even more of an insult to the men and women protecting our country from terrorism each day. This bill will also send a message that Illinois does not support terrorism.”
The legislation is House Bill 150 and will be considered when the 99thGeneral Assembly convenes on January 15th.