103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB2789

 

Introduced 2/16/2023, by Rep. Anne Stava-Murray

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
75 ILCS 10/1  from Ch. 81, par. 111
75 ILCS 10/3  from Ch. 81, par. 113
75 ILCS 10/8.7 new

    Amends the Illinois Library System Act. Provides that it is the policy of the State to encourage the improvement of free public libraries and to encourage cooperation among all types of libraries in promoting the sharing of library resources, including digital resources, and to encourage and protect the freedom of public libraries and library systems to acquire materials without external limitation and to be protected against attempts to ban, remove, or otherwise restrict access to books or other materials. Provides that the State Librarian shall prescribe rules concerning the development of a written policy declaring the inherent authority of the public library or library system to prohibit the practice of banning specific books or resources. Provides that, in order to be eligible for State grants, a public library or library system shall develop a written policy prohibiting the practice of banning books within the public library or library system. Makes other changes.


LRB103 29629 AWJ 56025 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB2789LRB103 29629 AWJ 56025 b

1    AN ACT concerning local government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Library System Act is amended by
5changing Sections 1 and 3 and by adding Section 8.7 as follows:
 
6    (75 ILCS 10/1)  (from Ch. 81, par. 111)
7    Sec. 1. Because the state has a financial responsibility
8in promoting public education, and because the public library
9is a vital agency serving all levels of the educational
10process, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to
11encourage the improvement of free public libraries and to
12encourage cooperation among all types of libraries in
13promoting the sharing of library resources, including digital
14resources. In keeping with this policy, provision is hereby
15made for a program of state grants designed to establish,
16develop and operate a network of library systems covering the
17entire state.
18    It is further declared to be the policy of the State to
19encourage and protect the freedom of public libraries and
20library systems to acquire materials without external
21limitation and to be protected against attempts to ban,
22remove, or otherwise restrict access to books or other
23materials.

 

 

HB2789- 2 -LRB103 29629 AWJ 56025 b

1(Source: P.A. 83-411.)
 
2    (75 ILCS 10/3)  (from Ch. 81, par. 113)
3    Sec. 3. The State Librarian and the Illinois State Library
4his staff shall administer the provisions of this Act and
5shall prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary to
6carry the provisions of this Act into effect.
7    The rules and regulations established by the State
8Librarian for the administration of this Act shall be designed
9to achieve the following standards and objectives:
10    A provide library service for every citizen in the state
11by extending library facilities to areas not now served.
12    B provide library materials for student needs at every
13educational level.
14    C provide adequate library materials to satisfy the
15reference and research needs of the people of this state.
16    D provide an adequate staff of professionally trained
17librarians for the state.
18    E develop a written policy declaring the inherent
19authority of the public library or library system to provide
20an adequate stock of books and other materials sufficient in
21size and varied in kind and subject matter to satisfy the
22library needs of the people of this state and prohibit the
23practice of banning specific books or resources.
24    F provide adequate library outlets and facilities
25convenient in time and place to serve the people of this state.

 

 

HB2789- 3 -LRB103 29629 AWJ 56025 b

1    G encourage existing and new libraries to develop library
2systems serving a sufficiently large population to support
3adequate library service at reasonable cost.
4    H foster the economic and efficient utilization of public
5funds.
6    I promote the full utilization of local pride,
7responsibility, initiative and support of library service and
8at the same time employ state aid as a supplement to local
9support.
10    The Advisory Committee of the Illinois State Library shall
11confer with, advise and make recommendations to the State
12Librarian regarding any matter under this Act and particularly
13with reference to the formation of library systems.
14(Source: Laws 1965, p. 3077.)
 
15    (75 ILCS 10/8.7 new)
16    Sec. 8.7. State grants; book banning. In order to be
17eligible for State grants, a public library or library system
18shall develop a written policy prohibiting the practice of
19banning books within the public library or library system.