Kifowit Passes Legislation to Create Elected Aurora Library Board

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local taxpayers will have a say over administration of the Aurora Public Library under a measure passed recently by state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, offering voters an opportunity to elect the library’s board of trustees, which is currently appointed by the mayor.

“As property taxes continue to increase, and questions arise about the administration of the local library, taxpayers deserve to have their voices heard,” said Kifowit. “This bill will give taxpayers the opportunity to bring transparency to library’s budget and tax levy and help hold trustees accountable.”

Kifowit’s House Bill 910 gives voters the opportunity to choose an elected library board rather than an appointed one if approved by referendum in the 2020 general election. The elected board would consist of 11 trustees serving staggered terms. The legislation also includes the option to return to an appointed board in the following general election.

Recently, the un-elected board pushed policies that resulted in a public outcry, including a proposal to downsize the West Branch library which would decrease access to local services on top of the board’s recent cuts to the branch’s programing.

Earlier this month the Illinois Attorney General’s Office has concluded that the Aurora Public Library Board has violated the open meetings act for the third time in less than three years including violations from four separate meetings during 2018 while discussing their options regarding the West Branch library.

“It’s time to focus on electing local boards that reflect the needs of our community,” said Kifowit. “This is a first step in the right direction to make sure we have an elected library board that will make decisions based on what is best for local residents and considers what we want out from our local library.”