Stava-Murray Passes Bill Improving Protections for Libraries

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — In response to a spike in the rate of threats made against libraries and librarians, state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray has passed a bill to boost the safety of Illinois libraries and ensure that people who make threats or false reports can be held accountable.

“Last year, we became the first state in the U.S. to effectively protect libraries and librarians from authoritarian book bans, and I was proud to sponsor the law that did it,” Stava-Murray said. “Unfortunately, some in our state chose to escalate from bans and discrimination to threats of violence. That’s why I’m acting once again to protect our libraries and the dedicated professionals who make them run.”

Stava-Murray’s House Bill 4567 expands protections for libraries and library workers by subjecting criminals who make bomb threats or other threats of violence against libraries to the same penalties as individuals who threaten schools. The measure also helps make libraries safer to workers and patrons by creating grants aimed at improving and enhancing library security.

The bill passed the House with bipartisan support on Tuesday and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
“Library collections should be managed and curated by professional librarians and not by authoritarian extremists with partisan agendas,” Stava-Murray said. “If those who favor censorship and divisive restrictions resort to threats when they don’t get their way, we have to ensure we’re ready to address that, impose accountability and keep families and communities safe.”