2008 ILA Update #13

NEWS RELEASE

Senate Overrides Governor’s Veto on House Bill (HB) 4527
The Illinois Senate just overrode the governor's amendatory veto of HB 4527 increasing the equalization and school grants formulas. The senate override passed on a vote 55 to 0.  As the Illinois House of Representatives has already overridden the governor's veto, this bill will now become law as originally passed in the form ILA supported.  Just to be clear, the governor's suggested changes that would have mandated minimum operating hours for libraries will not become law.  Senator Watson (R-51, Greenville) gave an impassioned speech in favor of local library control and opposing the governor's proposed operating hours mandate. 

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 will 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.

Senate Fails to Override Governor’s Veto on Senate Bill (SB) 2321
The Illinois Senate just defeated the motion to override the governor's veto of the county law library fee increase bill. The override motion fell two votes short of the super majority needed to override. The vote was 34 to override, 21 against the ride override. This bill now appears dead for this year and would have to be resurrected next session.

Sponsored by Senator Donne E. Trotter (D-17, Chicago), the bill would have allowed county boards to authorize an increase in county law library fees (now, $13) of not more than (i) $18 in 2008, (ii) $19 in 2009, and (iii) $21 in 2010 and thereafter. The bill passed in the Illinois Senate on April 17 by a vote of 42 to 12; Illinois House of Representatives on May 22 by a vote of 76 to 34; and both chambers on May 22.

The governor vetoed the bill on Tuesday, August 19 because it would allow local government, if they choose, to increase fees.

2008 ILA Annual Conference Starts Tomorrow with Preconferences
Exhibits are open Wednesday, September 24, 12:30 to 5:00 P.M., and Thursday, September 25, 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. To obtain a pass, please visit the ILA Registration Desk at Navy Pier. Exhibit passes cannot be used to attend conference programs. Please note that exhibits will not be open on Friday, 26 September.