Meetup Information for Legislators
The Illinois Library Association (ILA) is the voice for Illinois libraries and the millions who depend on them. ILA's series of Library Legislative Meetups began nearly thirty years ago. They were pivoted to a virtual format during the height of the pandemic, and returned to in-person Meetups in 2023. These highly popular events give you an opportunity to speak with your library constituents, who in turn serve thousands of people in your community, and to learn about issues affecting them and their libraries. Library trustees, directors, and staff from public, academic, and school libraries will be in attendance. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at an upcoming Library Legislative Meetup!
Click on the link below for full details about the Meetup in your area. Please RSVP by emailing ila@ila.org. Legislative staff are welcome to attend alongside legislators or on their behalf. There is no cost for legislators and/or legislative staff to attend the Meetups.
Questions can be directed to ila@ila.org.
South Suburban & Chicago Breakfast - Alsip
West Suburban & Chicago Lunch - Oak Brook
North Suburban & Chicago Breakfast - Northbrook
Metro East Breakfast - Edwardsville
Southern Illinois Lunch - Effingham
Central Illinois Breakfast - Normal
Northwestern Illinois Lunch - DeKalb
South Suburban & Chicago Breakfast - Alsip
ILA Legislative Consultant, Derek Blaida, addresses attendees at the 2023 South Suburban & Chicago Library Legislative Meetup.
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Time: 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Alsip
Address: 5000 W 127th St., Alsip, IL 60803
Event Schedule:
- 8:00 a.m. Doors open and breakfast is available
- 8:30 a.m. Event begins; welcoming remarks from ILA President; Remarks from ILA Legislative Consultant Derek Blaida on ILA's state legislative agenda and ILA Executive Director Cyndi Robinson on ILA's federal legislative agenda
- 9:30 a.m. Opportunity for legislators/legislative staff to make brief comments
- 10:00 a.m. Event concludes
West Suburban & Chicago Lunch - Oak Brook
Attendees and legislators mingle at the 2023 West Suburban & Chicago Library Legislative Meetup.
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Time: Noon-2:00 p.m.
Location: Marriott at Oak Brook
Address: 1401 W 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523
Event Schedule:
- 12:00 p.m. Doors open and lunch is available
- 12:30 p.m. Event begins; welcoming remarks from ILA President; Remarks from ILA Legislative Consultant Derek Blaida on ILA's state legislative agenda and ILA Executive Director Cyndi Robinson on ILA's federal legislative agenda
- 1:30 p.m. Opportunity for legislators/legislative staff to make brief comments
- 2:00 p.m. Event concludes
North Suburban & Chicago Breakfast - Northbrook
ILA Legislative Consultant, Derek Blaida, addresses the 2023 North Suburban & Chicago Library Legislative Meetup.
Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Time: 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Location: Hilton Chicago Northbrook
Address: 2855 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062
Event Schedule:
- 8:00 a.m. Doors open and breakfast is available
- 8:30 a.m. Event begins; welcoming remarks from ILA President; Remarks from ILA Legislative Consultant Derek Blaida on ILA's state legislative agenda and ILA Executive Director Cyndi Robinson on ILA's federal legislative agenda
- 9:30 a.m. Opportunity for legislators/legislative staff to make brief comments
- 10:00 a.m. Event concludes
Metro East Breakfast - Edwardsville
2023-2024 ILA Preseident, Ryan Johnson, (right) chats with attendees at the 2023 Metro East Library Legislative Meetup.
Date: Monday, December 9, 2024
Time: 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Location: Sunset Hills Country Club, Edwardsville
Address: 2525 S. State Rte. 157, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Event Schedule:
- 8:00 a.m. Doors open and breakfast is available
- 8:30 a.m. Event begins; welcoming remarks from ILA President; Remarks from ILA Legislative Consultant Derek Blaida on ILA's state legislative agenda and ILA Executive Director Cyndi Robinson on ILA's federal legislative agenda
- 9:30 a.m. Opportunity for legislators/legislative staff to make brief comments
- 10:00 a.m. Event concludes
Southern Illinois Lunch - Effingham
Group photo from the 2023 Southern Illinois Library Legislative Meetup of some of the legislators, attendees, and ILA representatives.
Date: Monday, December 9, 2024
Time: Noon-2:00 p.m.
Location: Holiday Inn Effingham
Address: 1202 N Keller Dr., Effingham IL 62401
Event Schedule:
- 12:00 p.m. Doors open and lunch is available
- 12:30 p.m. Event begins; welcoming remarks from ILA President; Remarks from ILA Legislative Consultant Derek Blaida on ILA's state legislative agenda and ILA Executive Director Cyndi Robinson on ILA's federal legislative agenda
- 1:30 p.m. Opportunity for legislators/legislative staff to make brief comments
- 2:00 p.m. Event concludes
ILA Legislative Consultant, Derek Blaida, addresses the 2023 Central Illinois Library Legislative Meetup.
Central Illinois Breakfast - Normal
Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Time: 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Location: Marriott Bloomington-Normal
Address: 201 Broadway, Normal, IL 61761
Event Schedule:
- 8:00 a.m. Doors open and breakfast is available
- 8:30 a.m. Event begins; welcoming remarks from ILA President; Remarks from ILA Legislative Consultant Derek Blaida on ILA's state legislative agenda and ILA Executive Director Cyndi Robinson on ILA's federal legislative agenda
- 9:30 a.m. Opportunity for legislators/legislative staff to make brief comments
- 10:00 a.m. Event concludes
Northwestern Illinois Lunch - DeKalb
ILA Executive Director, Cyndi Robinson, address attendees at the 2023 Northwestern Illinois Library Legislative Meetup.
Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Time: Noon-2:00 p.m.
Location: Kishwaukee Country Club
Address: 1901 Sycamore Rd, DeKalb, IL 60115
Event Schedule:
- 12:00 p.m. Doors open and lunch is available
- 12:30 p.m. Event begins; welcoming remarks from ILA President; Remarks from ILA Legislative Consultant Derek Blaida on ILA's state legislative agenda and ILA Executive Director Cyndi Robinson on ILA's federal legislative agenda
- 1:30 p.m. Opportunity for legislators/legislative staff to make brief comments
- 2:00 p.m. Event concludes
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