Legislative Update -- October 18, 2018

October 18, 2018
  • We are pleased to once again provide the Library Days and Dates to Remember 2019-20, prepared by attorney Phillip Lenzini. This is a helpful calendar of key dates for filing public notices and/or various actions required by municipal (city, village, and incorporated town) libraries. The list contains preliminary dates as well as deadlines, and deals with such things as electing trustees, budget filings, annual reports, and numerous other required filings. 
  • On the Federal level, we are continuing to advocate for more Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor the Museum and Library Services Act. Right now it has 17 Senate co-sponsors and 4 House co-sponsors, but NONE yet from Illinois! We urge everyone to contact Senators Duckworth and Durbin, and your Representative, to ask them to co- sponsor S3530 and HR6988, respectively. The MLSA has bipartisan support so far, which is reflective of libraries' importance to both sides of the aisle, but more co-sponsors are needed if MSLA is to advance in Congress this session. It is important to reauthorize MLSA in order to insulate IMLS and LSTA from future funding cuts, and codify Federal support for libraries. Please contact the Senators and your Representative TODAY!

Please remember to visit the Advocacy section of the ILA website to remain current on state and federal legislative issues, look up your elected officials, and more. ILA's Public Policy Committee meets next on November 5, 2018, and will formulate recommendations for the ILA Executive Board to consider at its meeting on November 29 for the upcoming spring legislative session.

iREAD Summer Reading Programs

Since 1981, iREAD provides high quality, low-cost resources and products that enable local library staff to motivate children, young adults, and adults to read.

Visit the iREAD website »