ILA E-Newsletter

We Are Here: A Statement on Inclusion from the Illinois Library Association
January 13, 2017
As this new year begins, the Illinois Library Association (ILA) has a message for its member libraries and the people who use them. That message is simple, but powerful. No matter who you are or what you need, we are here for you. For libraries, libr…
The Budget Impasse Impact
December 28, 2016
The Chicago Sun-Times (December 21, 2016) editorialized about the more than 114,000 Illinoisans who left for other states in the past year, including higher ed students and faculty. Here's an excerpt from the full text: The quality of public universi…
Election Results
November 9, 2016
While the national election results are likely to bring dramatic changes, the results in Illinois likely will not. Both parties will be able to point to victories at the state level, but the overall balance of power will not shift significantly. For …
ILA Urges ISBE to Allocate ESSA Funding to School Libraries
September 19, 2016
Thursday, 15 September 2016 Tony Smith, Ph.D. Illinois State Superintendent Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) 100 N. 1st Street Springfield, IL 62777 Dear Superintendent Smith: According to recent media reports and a Saturday, September 10, 20…
Date Set for Workshop on Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
September 6, 2016
The Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) is partnering with IHLS, ILA, ISL, RAILS, and the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) in collaboration with American Library Association’s Office for Library Advocacy (OLA) and …
Urgent: Speak Out for School Libraries in September
August 26, 2016
In December 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law. ESSA replaces No Child Left Behind and, thanks to the work of library advocates, specifically includes language regarding “effective school library program…
Kip Kolkmeier Latest Luminary
August 26, 2016
Anyone who cares about what happens to libraries in Illinois has had occasion to thank Kip Kolkmeier, longtime legislative consultant for the Illinois Library Association (ILA). He was hired as ILA’s lobbyist in 1996 and remains an effective vo…
Governor Signs "Liquor in Libraries" Bill
July 19, 2016
On July 15, it became legal for libraries to serve alcohol during educational or cultural events, thanks to the efforts of the ILA Public Policy Committee and others. Senate Bill 399 amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934, and was signed into law by G…
Stopgap State Budget Approval
June 30, 2016
The Illinois General Assembly approved legislation (Senate Bill 2047) this afternoon funding most of the FY2016 budget, and adopting a "stopgap" six-month budget for FY2017. The governor is expected to sign the legislation. While this legislation has…
Contact Your Senator: Property Tax Freeze Legislation
April 29, 2016
ILA has received a number of requests to clarify the impact of the so-called "Property Tax Freeze" legislation. While several versions of a property tax freeze have been proposed by Governor Rauner and considered by the Illinois General Assembly, the…
iREAD Summer Reading Programs

Since 1981, iREAD provides high quality, low-cost resources and products that enable local library staff to motivate children, young adults, and adults to read.

Visit the iREAD website »