Current:Home > StocksIllinois becomes first state in U.S. to outlaw book bans in libraries: "Regimes ban books, not democracies" -Ascend Finance Compass
Illinois becomes first state in U.S. to outlaw book bans in libraries: "Regimes ban books, not democracies"
View
Date:2025-04-12 05:35:17
Illinois became the first state in the U.S. to outlaw book bans, after Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed legislation that would cut off state funding for any Illinois library that tries to ban books, CBS Chicago reports.
The new law comes as predominantly Republican-led states continue to restrict books some consider offensive in schools and libraries across the country.
"Book bans are about censorship; marginalizing people, marginalizing ideas and facts. Regimes ban books, not democracies," Pritzker said before signing the legislation Monday.
Illinois public libraries that restrict or ban materials because of "partisan or doctrinal" disapproval will be ineligible for state funding as of Jan. 1, 2024, when the new law goes into effect.
"We are not saying that every book should be in every single library," said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who is also the state librarian and was the driving force behind the legislation. "What this law does is it says, let's trust our experience and education of our librarians to decide what books should be in circulation."
The new law comes into play as states across the U.S. push to remove certain books in schools and libraries, especially those about LGBTQ+ themes and by people of color. The American Library Association in March announced that attempts to censor books in schools and public libraries reached a 20-year high in 2022 - twice as many as 2021, the previous record.
"Illinois legislation responds to disturbing circumstances of censorship and an environment of suspicion," said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation.
To be eligible for state funds, Illinois public libraries must adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, which holds that "materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation," or subscribe to a similar pledge.
Downers Grove Democrat Rep. Anne Stava-Murray sponsored the legislation in the Illinois House of Representatives after a school board in her district was subject to pressure to ban certain content from school libraries.
"While it's true that kids need guidance, and that some ideas can be objectionable, trying to weaponize local government to force one-size-fits-all standards onto the entire community for reasons of bigotry, or as a substitute for active and involved parenting, is wrong," Stava-Murray said Monday at the bill's signing, which took place at a children's library in downtown Chicago.
Despite Giannoulias' assertion that "this should not be a Democrat or Republican issue," lawmakers' approval of the bill splintered across party lines, with Republicans in opposition.
"I support local control," said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, a Republican who voted against the measure, in an emailed statement. "Our caucus does not believe in banning books, but we do believe that the content of books should be considered in their placement on the shelves."
- In:
- Illinois
- JB Pritzker
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Bridgerton's Simone Ashley Confirms Romance With Tino Klein
- How Twitter's platform helped its users, personally and professionally
- How the cookie became a monster
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- It's the end of the boom times in tech, as layoffs keep mounting
- Wild koalas get chlamydia vaccine in first-of-its kind trial to protect the beloved marsupials
- Fire deep in a gold mine kills almost 30 workers in Peru
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Ashley Graham Celebrates Full Circle Moment Hosting HGTV's Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge
Ranking
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Brazen, amateurish Tokyo heist highlights rising trend as Japan's gangs lure desperate youth into crime
- This Detangling Hairbrush With 73,000+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews Is on Sale for $12
- Aries Shoppable Horoscope: 10 Birthday Gifts Aries Will Love Even More Than Impulsive Decision-Making
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- Ulta 24-Hour Flash Sale: Take 50% Off Origins, Live Tinted, Foreo, Jaclyn Cosmetics, and More
- Facebook's own oversight board slams its special program for VIPs
- Emily Ratajkowski Reveals Her Most Dramatic Look Yet With New Pixie Haircut
Recommendation
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
Elon Musk says he will grant 'amnesty' to suspended Twitter accounts
Ed Sheeran Shares Name of Baby No. 2 With Wife Cherry Seaborn
Aries Shoppable Horoscope: 10 Birthday Gifts Aries Will Love Even More Than Impulsive Decision-Making
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
Joshua Jackson Gives a Glimpse Into His “Magical” Home Life with Jodie Turner-Smith and Daughter Janie
Twitter layoffs begin, sparking a lawsuit and backlash
Twitter has lost 50 of its top 100 advertisers since Elon Musk took over, report says