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Ad Lib: Advocacy for Libraries

March 26, 2008

Library Day is Coming!

As I’m sure you’re aware, it’s just over two weeks until Illinois Library Day — the day when library people from across Illinois descend on Springfield and make our voices heard.A full schedule of events has been posted on the Illinois Library Day site.

ILA has also provided us with a list of selected pending bills that are important to address:ILA Supports
House Bill (HB) 4202, sponsored by Representative Dan Brady (R-88, Bloomington), concerns the disposal of academic library materials by amending the State Property Control Act.

House Bill (HB) 4518, sponsored by Representative Frank J. Mautino (D-76, Spring Valley), explains methods to dissolve library districts, which do not meet specific criteria (for example, appropriate, elect library board, hold meetings).

House Bill (HB) 4527, sponsored by Representative Lou Lang (D-16, Skokie), changes equalization grant language. The bill, requested by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office and supported by Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-22, Chicago), increases rate from $4.25 to $7.50 per capita; increases minimum grant award to school libraries from $100 to $750. The per capita rate has not been increased since 1979 when the grant was created. The minimum grant level for schools has not been increased since 1994.

Senate Bill (SB) 2321, sponsored by Senator Donne E. Trotter (D-17, Chicago), would provide that the county board may authorize an increase in the county law library fee of not more than (i) $18 in 2008, (ii) $19 in 2009, and (iii) $21 in 2010 and thereafter (now, $13).

(You can get a more comprehensive list of ILA’s bills of interest at their CapWiz page.)

Now that you’ve looked at the schedule, and seen how important the issues we’re facing are, I’m sure you’ll want to be a part of the day, too, so why not sign up for NSLS’s bus to Springfield and add your voice to the chorus? You’ll be glad you did!

posted by Alan at 10:47 am | Comments (0)

March 13, 2008

Budget Hearings Are Back!

Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan is offering another chance for you to let the government know what you think is important in the state’s budget.

The House of Representatives of the Illinois General Assembly is once again hosting a series of budget hearings in communities around Illinois. The hearings are coming to the NSLS area starting next Monday, March 17, with a 6:30 hearing at the Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg. Following that, there’ll be hearings at McHenry College on March 19 (also at 6:30), and on March 24 at the Northbrook Village Hall at 3 p.m. You can view the House’s complete press release, including the full schedule of hearings, here. (PDF)

Sarah Long recently sent out a message emphasizing why it’s important that library representatives attend these hearings:

We need to have numbers and we need at least one voice in each location. If you’ve never attended a hearing before, it’s easy and it’s interesting. Just show up, sign in and say you’re supporting library issues. You will be asked if you want to speak or not. At each hearing we will want at least one person to speak. If you’re willing to be our speaker (we need a minimum of three–one for each hearing) please get in touch ASAP. Please also send me a message if you can attend.

So if you can make it to one of these hearings, please let Sarah know.

posted by Alan at 9:22 am | Comments (0)