Legislative Update -- September 7, 2023

September 7, 2023

The U.S. Congress is back in session after its summer break. The new fiscal year begins on October 1, 2023, and lawmakers have until midnight on September 30 to enact legislation. So far, Congress has not acted on any of the 12 appropriations bills setting discretionary spending levels. A shutdown in FY 2024 would affect all federal activities covered by discretionary appropriations and must discontinue all non-essential functions until new legislation is passed and signed into law. We anticipate updates and calls to action from the American Library Association Public Policy and Advocacy Office, which will be shared in the coming weeks. 

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin have announced $6.2 million for Illinois schools and libraries through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund. The FCC Emergency Connectivity Fund helps schools and libraries support remote learning by providing funding to schools and libraries for the cost of equipment and services that can be provided to students, teachers, and library patrons who lack internet access and the devices they need to connect to classrooms. The list of recipients is here.

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 »