Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to inform you of a growing national trend in which individuals record interactions with government employees in public spaces. These individuals often state that their purpose is to test constitutional rights or to create content for online platforms. Such encounters are commonly referred to as “First Amendment audits.”
Recently, several University of Illinois Extension offices have experienced these situations firsthand. To prepare your employees if they encounter a similar situation, the university has created a new FAQ section on the Free Speech and Expression website.
Please take a moment to review the information and share it with your team as appropriate.
Best,
Robin Kaler
Associate Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing
Interim Chief of Staff, Office of the Chancellor