Legislative Update -- January 5, 2023
January 5, 2023
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ILA is pleased to present once again Library Days and Dates 2023-24, prepared by attorney Phil Lenzini for libraries' guidance in planning around key dates for filing public notices and/or various actions required by municipal (city, village, and incorporated town) libraries. The list contains preliminary dates as well as deadlines, and deals with such things as electing trustees, budget filings, annual reports, and numerous other required filings.
Illinois Update
The lame duck session of the 102nd General Assembly began January 4 and will end January 10. The Illinois Senate and House have released their spring 2023 session schedules.
The 103rd General Assembly will be inaugurated on Wednesday, January 11. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and four Constitutional Officers, including Secretary of State, will be inaugurated on Monday, January 9, 2023.
Illinois Department of Human Rights Letter
Governor JB Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) Director Jim Bennett issued a letter on December 22, 2022, to address safety concerns from public officials after recent incidents of anti-LBGTQ+ violence, harassment and threats directed toward public officials and community members. The full letter and resources are available on the IDHR website.
Federal Update
On Thursday, December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law: H.R. 2617, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023,” making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023. The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, saw an increase of $13.5 million, raising the program to $211 million as the leading source of federal funding for America's libraries. In addition, the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL), a program designed to support school library literacy initiatives nationwide, saw a $1 million increase, bringing total funding to $30 million for the Department of Education program.
In ALA’s press release, President Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada said, “ALA advocates and library workers from across the country helped lead the way for this success, reminding their federal elected officials of the importance of fully funded libraries. Thank you to every advocate who made their voice heard.”
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