The Illinois General Assembly adjourned the Spring 2011 legislative session as scheduled on May 31st.  This was an extremely busy session, in which the general assembly passed a large gaming expansion bill including a casino for the City of Chicago, significant workers compensation reform, a multi-billion dollar utility grid improvement legislation, and redrew legislative district maps.  While a busy session, this was a very successful session for the Illinois Library Association and the library community.  Many thanks to all who worked so hard on the various initiatives listed below, but most importantly Congratulations!   

This was another difficult budget year in which the general assembly cut over $2 billion from the governor's proposed budget.  We are pleased that the final budget did not impose further cuts in library programs.  Despite massive cuts in human services, education funding and programs across state government, House Bill 123 essentially provided level funding for library grant programs.

ILA successfully passed two bills that contained several initiatives requested by ILA members.  House Bill 177 was an initiative of the Chicago Public Library that amended the local records act to allow disposal of all paper registration records once the information is digitally entered and verified.  House Bill 179 would allow public libraries to file IPLAR reports 60 days after the end of the fiscal year, rather than 30 days; would clarify the formula for reimbursing library districts in residential Tax Increment Finance districts; and allow greater flexibility for library districts, public libraries, and library systems to secure insurance in lieu of a personal bond on their treasurer.  ILA will ask the governor to sign both of these ILA member initiatives.

ILA also joined a coalition of local government associations to push for and pass legislation which will reduce the cost of newspaper publications required by law.  Senate Bill 1686 was a difficult and long negotiation with the Illinois Press Association.  The final bill prohibits newspapers from charging anything more than the lowest cost charged to any customer for any required newspaper notice.  This provision is based on the current Minnesota law and should result in a reduction of approximately 25% on newspaper publications.  ILA will ask the governor to sign this legislation.  

ILA supported an IMRF proposal that will allow libraries to decide whether they want part-time employees to have eligibility for IMRF at 600 hours or 1000 hours.  For those at the 600 hour limit currently, switching to 1000 hours could constitute a substantial cost savings.  This legislation passed the general assembly as House Bill 1956, and is also contained in Senate Bill 1831.  For our members in state pension systems, no pension changes were ultimately enacted.  Senate Bill 512 would have compelled state employees and state university employees to select one of three new options:  (1) stay in Tier 1 and increase employee contributions by as much as 100%; (2) switch to Tier 2 and make no additional contribution; or (3) switch to a defined contribution system.  Senate Bill 512 was held and will be discussed further over the summer.

ILA was equally successful in opposing bills that adversely affected our members.  ILA opposed House Bill 148 that would have allowed the carrying of concealed firearms throughout the state including in all libraries.  As a result of library opposition, the sponsor added an amendment to exempt libraries from the bill.  Ultimately the legislation failed in the Illinois House of Representatives, and libraries certainly made their voices heard.  

For the 17th time, a library and school mandatory Internet filter bill was filed as House Bill 2889.  ILA aggressively opposed this legislation, negotiated a dramatic reduction in its scope and ultimately succeeded in getting the bill held without a vote in the Illinois House of Representatives.

House Bill 2823 was a proposal from a few municipalities to limit the taxing and budget power of elected library boards.  It was an unprecedented attempt by one unit of local government to take over the authority of another.  The library community reacted swiftly and effectively in persuading the sponsor to hold this legislation.  However, legislative proposals to limit library trustee power such as this bill are likely to rise again in future sessions.  

ILA tracked and worked on 161 bills that covered an incredible range of issues, and we are very pleased that no bill opposed by the association ultimately passed the general assembly this session.  This was a long and difficult session, but it is among our most successful as an association and as a library community.