2008 ILA Update #12

NEWS RELEASE

House Overrides Governor’s Veto House Bill (HB) 4527
Yesterday, the Illinois House of Representatives overrode the Governor's veto of HB 4527 by a vote of 113 to 0. The bill must still be overridden by the Senate to go into effect.

Requested by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, sponsored by Representative Lou Lang (D-16, Skokie), and supported by Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-22, Chicago), this bill would change equalization grant language in two significant areas: increases rate from $4.25 to $7.50 per capita and; 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. Ten public libraries qualify for the equalization grants under the old limits; under the new formula, the number of public libraries that qualify will increase to fifty-seven.

In Fiscal Years (FY) 2007 and 2008, nearly 350 school districts received grants below the new minimum of $750; it is expected that those school districts will benefit from HB 4527 in FY 09 and thereafter. The bill passed the House on April 3, Senate on May 20; and both houses May 20. The governor amendatorily vetoed the bill on Friday, August.

If the Illinois Senate overrides, then HB 4527 will become law as originally passed. If the Illinois Senate fails to override the governor veto, then both the original bill and the amendatorily vetoed bill will both fail.

ILA will continue to inform the Illinois library community about other developments in the Illinois General Assembly. We are currently closely monitoring a number of bills, for example:

• The Illinois House of Representatives passed yesterday Senate Bill (SB) 1103 which would restore several hundred million dollars in the governor's budget cuts from the current fiscal budget, including restoration of $20.7 million for the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian. There is, however, no indication that the Senate will even consider this bill or if the governor would not subsequently veto the bill. But it is a first step to restoring significant funds to the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian.
• The Illinois House of Representatives approved Senate Bill (SB) 2595. This legislation would permit the leasing of the state lottery and would utilize a portion of the lease proceeds to support a capital projects program. The lottery may not be leased for less than $10 billion and the revenues would support a $24 billion capital projects plan. The actual spending plan for these projects has not been presented nor voted on. The Speaker argues that a spending plan cannot be considered until it's known that the lottery lease is truly viable and the minimum required bid of $10 billion for the lease has been secured. It is not yet clear if the Senate will take up this legislation, but it is rumored that the Senate might return to Springfield in the next two weeks.

12 Days to ILA Annual Conference
The 2008 ILA Annual Conference is just twelve days away and there are a number of free events that we encourage all to attend.

The exhibits are free and will open Wednesday, September 24, from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m., and Thursday, September 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Complimentary exhibits passes will be available at the ILA Registration Desk at Navy Pier during the conference. There are currently 147 companies signed up to exhibit in 170 booths; the last time ILA was at Navy Pier in 2006, there were 128 companies in 149 booths. Please note that exhibits will not be open on Friday, September 26. Parking is directly below exhibit hall B at Navy Pier . . . so carpool, rent a bus, or take public transportation, everyone is welcomed.

In addition to learning about new products and services, attending the exhibits provides valuable continuing education experiences for library staff. Poster Sessions and Talk Tables will be held on the exhibit floor on both Wednesday and Thursday. Topics range from consumer health resources in public libraries and screen casting on a budget to laptop lending programs and coaching teens for job interviews.

Those visiting the exhibits can also attend the Second Annual Library Book Cart Drill Team Competition on Wednesday, September 24, at 5:15 p.m. in the exhibit hall. Cheer on your favorite team to the state championship – and an opportunity to compete for the national championship at ALA in 2009!

Four New ILA Publications Were Posted on the ILA Web Site on Friday

1. The October 2008 ILA Reporter is on the ILA Web site
2. The 2007-2008 ILA Annual Report is on the ILA Web site
3. The 2008 ILA Annual Conference Program Book is on the ILA Web site
4. The 2009 iREAD Catalog is on the ILA Web site

Program handouts for the 2008 ILA Annual Conference are on the ILA Web site

The floor plan for exhibits at the 2008 ILA Annual Conference is on the ILA Web site

With the information on the ILA Web site, you can start planning your time in the exhibit hall and the conference now.

For more information on the ILA Annual Conference, visit http://www.ila.org/events/conference.htm