The Illinois State House has approved a bill to prevent public and school libraries from restricting access to books and other materials. However, the bill also grants the Illinois secretary of state the power to withhold grant funding from violators. Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic Secretary of State, started House Bill 2789. It says that libraries that want to get state grants must have a policy against book bans or follow the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. The bill gives public libraries more freedom to buy books and protects them from attempts to censor them. Republican Rep. Martin McLaughlin expressed concern about the state dictating to local library boards. Giannoulias praised the legislation as groundbreaking and vital for defending the freedom of expression against censorship. The Illinois State Senate must now approve the bill.

What would the implication of this pass do to the educational system? The Illinois State House passed a bill prohibiting book bans in libraries to combat the practice of book censorship and support the principles of freedom of expression. The bill also aims to encourage the improvement of free public libraries and promote sharing of library resources, including digital resources. The potential implications of this legislation for libraries and their patrons are significant. Libraries must adopt a policy against book bans or adhere to the Library Bill of Rights established by the American Library Association to qualify for state grants. This may lead to increased transparency and accountability for libraries but also create tension between local library boards and the state. Additionally, the legislation may help protect patrons’ right to access information and expand their reading choices while ensuring that libraries are not subject to external limitations or censorship attempts. However, the bill’s potential impact on the availability of controversial library materials and the balance between freedom of expression and public decency may be debated.

Source

Nur Ibrahim. Did Illinois State House pass a Bill Prohibiting Book Bans in Libraries?https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/illinois-house-bill-prohibiting-book-bans-libraries/.