HB2789 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 29629 AWJ 56025 b

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.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Library System Act is amended by changing Sections 1 and 3 and by adding Section 8.7 as follows:

(75 ILCS 10/1) (from Ch. 81, par. 111)

Sec. 1. Because the state has a financial responsibility in promoting public education, and because the public library is a vital agency serving all levels of the educational process, it is hereby declared to be 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. In keeping with this policy, provision is hereby made for a program of state grants designed to establish, develop and operate a network of library systems covering the entire state.

It is further declared to be the policy of the State 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.

(Source: P.A. 83-411.)

(75 ILCS 10/3) (from Ch. 81, par. 113)

Sec. 3. The State Librarian and the Illinois State Library his staff shall administer the provisions of this Act and shall prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry the provisions of this Act into effect.

The rules and regulations established by the State Librarian for the administration of this Act shall be designed to achieve the following standards and objectives:

A provide library service for every citizen in the state by extending library facilities to areas not now served.

B provide library materials for student needs at every educational level.

C provide adequate library materials to satisfy the reference and research needs of the people of this state.

D provide an adequate staff of professionally trained librarians for the state.

E develop a written policy declaring the inherent authority of the public library or library system to provide an adequate stock of books and other materials sufficient in size and varied in kind and subject matter to satisfy the library needs of the people of this state and prohibit the practice of banning specific books or resources.

F provide adequate library outlets and facilities convenient in time and place to serve the people of this state.

G encourage existing and new libraries to develop library systems serving a sufficiently large population to support adequate library service at reasonable cost.

H foster the economic and efficient utilization of public funds.

I promote the full utilization of local pride, responsibility, initiative and support of library service and at the same time employ state aid as a supplement to local support.

The Advisory Committee of the Illinois State Library shall confer with, advise and make recommendations to the State Librarian regarding any matter under this Act and particularly with reference to the formation of library systems.

(Source: Laws 1965, p. 3077.)

(75 ILCS 10/8.7 new)

Sec. 8.7. State grants; book banning. 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.