The State budget crisis continues and the pressure to cut State grant programs is increasing.  The Governor's proposed 2013 budget called for State agencies and each Constitutional Officer to trim their budget from last year's appropriation.  ILA reviewed the budget and it appeared that the Governor's budget for the Illinois Secretary of State was flat funding for libraries.   

On March 29, however, the Illinois House of Representatives approved a budget (91-16) which would force budget cuts from all parts of state government.  The measure requires cutting Medicaid by $2.7 billion, or about 25 percent.  These cuts, if enacted, would free up $1.3 billion in revenue to pay off past due bills, of which the State currently owes $8.5 billion.  To achieve these spending reductions will reduce massive reductions in State programs including likely all grant programs.

ILA has succeeded in protecting library grant programs from cuts in the last two budget years and ILA will continue to push for level funding of library grant programs.  Our success in the next budget year will depend on a dramatic effort by ILA members and library supporters to persuade Illinois legislators to maintain funding in the face of unprecedented budget cuts.

Illinois Library Day is Wednesday, 18 April 2012 and it is your opportunity to present our case to maintain library grant program funding.  Please click here to view the current legislative appointment schedule and get information on setting up your legislative appointments! If you haven't already done so, please register today!

Intellectual Freedom Award
Presented by the ILA Intellectual Freedom Committee, Public Policy Committee, and Quality Books, Inc., an individual or group is recognized by this award for outstanding contributions to the defense of intellectual freedom or the advancement of these principles as espoused and promulgated by both the Illinois Library Association and the American Library Association.

Robert R. McClarren Legislative Development Award
Presented by the ILA Public Policy Committee, the award is given to a worthy recipient from the Illinois library community -- librarian, trustee, legislator, or library -- who has contributed significantly to legislative development in the state of Illinois

Nominations for all ILA Awards are due May 15, 2012. Nominating someone for an ILA Award has never been easier!

Submit your nomination form and all supporting documentation via the ILA website. No service should go unrecognized, so toot your own horn or tell us who you think is the best!

If you have any questions about the ILA Awards, please contact the ILA office at (312) 644-1896, or ila@ila.org.