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92_SB2135gms
State of Illinois
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Springfield, Illinois 62706
George H. Ryan
GOVERNOR
July 8, 2002
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois Senate
92nd General Assembly
I hereby sign Senate Bill 2135, which amends the State
Library Act to provide that certain records held by a State
agency shall (instead of shall when feasible) be provided to
the State Library in electronic format. This legislation
also provides that the State Librarian shall set by rule the
standard to be used for electronic data exchange among State
agencies and the State Library. Lastly, this legislation
changes reference from "printed material" to "published
material."
Although this legislation supports the State Library in
meeting its responsibility to provide public access to
government documents, the wording in the bill regarding the
authority of the State Librarian to "set by rule the standard
for electronic data exchange" could lead to conflicts with
existing law. The language in Senate Bill 2135 could be
construed to provide the State Library with the singular
authority to set document standards.
The authority to describe the standards that agencies use
in making electronic submissions currently rests in statute
with the Department of Central Management Services in Article
405 of the Department of Central Management Services Law (20
ILCS 405/Art.405). The standardization of documents is
important for the long-term accessibility of information.
Therefore, it is essential that both the Department of
Central Management Service and the State Library - in counsel
with the Illinois Technology Office - continue to work in
partnership with state agencies to improve the efficiency and
effectiveness of electronic document exchanges.
The State Library plans to hold hearings on proposed
rules to implement SB 2135, and this is an important means
for providing an opportunity for input. While I support the
State Librarian's goal of assuring receipt and subsequent
access to all information published by state government in
all formats, legislation may be needed to further clarify
this issue.
With this clarification, I have signed Senate Bill 2135.
Sincerely,
George H. Ryan
GOVERNOR