SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Senate left Springfield last month without passing a plan to improve security at libraries in response to recent violent threats.
Illinois saw 22 bomb threats made against libraries last year that required response from local and state police.
People making threats to libraries would be charged with a Class 4 felony, similar to making threats to schools. House Bill 4567 also calls for the Secretary of State's office to provide grants to libraries to improve their security.
"School libraries and libraries across the state should not be subject to threats by anyone," said Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Downers Grove). "This is a place for learning and can be a safe haven where students and people who have nowhere else to go can learn and thrive."
Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D-Downers Grove) presents her legislation to improve security for local libraries during a House Judiciary-Criminal Committee hearing on May 21, 2024.
This proposal passed out of the House on a 89-20 vote on May 21. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias hopes senators can pass the legislation during veto session in November.
"Our librarians and libraries have faced an onslaught of threats and violence and ideological intimidation for simply serving their communities," Giannoulias said. "We have seen an escalation of violence seeking to censor and restrict information. This is harmful, not only to these public servants, but to our democracy as a whole."
If passed and signed into law, the plan would take effect on January 1.
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