Federal:
New legislation in the Senate and House would have a positive impact, if passed, on libraries. The Marijuana Justice Act of 2017, S. 1689, would shift drug enforcement away from marijuana prosecution. Funds saved would, in part, be channeled to community grant funding opportunities for public library programming. The Educator Preparation Reform Act, S. 1694 and H.R. 3636, would expand to allow financial assistance to school librarians and paraprofessionals to seek job development and training.
State:
A few interesting news items from Illinois:
From the State Journal-Register –
Latest on the Abraham Lincoln Museum & Library: http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170818/rauner-signs-bill-creating-agency-to-govern-alplm
New pharmacy information/counseling rules going into effect: http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170818/new-pharmacy-rules-in-illinois-aim-to-improve-patient-safety
School funding bill is headed to the Governor’s desk: http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170829/illinois-senate-approves-school-funding-overhaul
From the Illinois Health & Hospital Association –
IHA supports Refinancing Illinois’ debt: http://www.ihatoday.org/uploadDocs/1/refinancingalert8-23-17.pdf
IHA Summary of Spring 2017 legislation: http://www.ihatoday.org/uploadDocs/1/keybills2017springsession.pdf