The Legislative Committee continually tracks legislation in both the Illinois General Assembly, which started its 98th session in January, and the United States Congress, which began its 113th session, also in January. The committee has sent out alerts to HSLI members regarding the following pieces of legislation:
- Illinois Senate Bill 1900–improves open access to research conducted at public universities and community colleges in the state (sent to the Governor on June 14)
- Illinois Senate Bill 1950–increases flexibility for local public bodies to invest in municipal bonds, which provide funding for public and school libraries (sent to the Governor on June 14)
- Illinois House Bill 0214–appropriations bill that includes funding for library systems, especially grants for improving accessibility and technology (sent to the Governor on June 4)
- U.S. House Resolution 933–general appropriations act that includes funding for LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act, the only federal program devoted exclusively to libraries) and IAL (Innovative Approaches to Literacy, which funds literacy programs for at-risk children in preschool through 12th grade)–became public law
Michael Wold and Eric Edwards, Legislative Committee Co-Chairs