2008 ILA Update #7

NEWS RELEASE

State Budget and Libraries
Based on a quick review of the governor's veto message on House Bill (HB) 5701 (the major budget bill), it appears to be a massive cuts for the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS). The governor has completely vetoed $3,695,000 in SOS appropriations and line item reduced $22,543,300 in other SOS spending for a total budget hit of $26,238,300. The total budget reductions on HB 5701 are $1,253,638,333, combined with his budget cuts on three senate budget bills, the governor's total cuts equal roughly $1.5 billion.

In ILA's examination of the governor's action, it appears that library reductions in:

• school per capita from $1,150,000 to $1,025,000 ($125,000 reduction),
• technology grants from $1,002,900 to $644,900 ($358,000 reduction), and
• library construction grants from Live and Learn from $925,800 to $620,800 ($305,000 reduction).

Total of $788,000 reductions. You can find the cuts on page 31 of governor's budget message, compare and look at page numbers 230 and 231 in HB 5701 as passed the Illinois General Assembly.

ILA will seek confirmation of this analysis with the Illinois State Library and will continue to monitor any further developments in Springfield during the special session.

ILA Executive Board Meeting
The next ILA Executive Board meeting will be on Friday, 1 August 2008, 9:00 a.m., at Alliance Library System, 600 High Point Lane, East Peoria, IL 61611; phone: (309) 694-9200 or 800-700-4857; fax: (309) 694-9230.

Your attendance and participation is welcomed.