HB2747 amends the Illinois Library System Act to revise the state grant formula for public libraries and library systems. The bill keeps in place the existing grant categories—equalization grants, library system grants, per capita grants, planning and construction grants, and security grants—but updates the equalization grant threshold so that, beginning in Fiscal Year 2025, a qualifying public library must generate less than $17.50 per capita in property tax revenue to receive a state equalization grant. The bill also preserves the existing rule that libraries must be members of a library system to be eligible for grants under this section.
The measure also adjusts how equalization grants are calculated for libraries subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, allowing them to remain eligible under specified conditions even if their levy rate falls below .13% because of tax caps, so long as the current levy still meets the required growth test and produces less than $17.50 per capita. It retains the minimum grant floor tied to $4.25 per capita if appropriations are insufficient. For library systems, the bill continues the per-capita and per-square-mile funding structure, including the special 25/75 split for multitype systems and large-city public library systems, and confirms that grant funds may be used for services outside the system when approved in a service plan.
Impact
HB2747 changes state law governing how Illinois distributes state aid to libraries, primarily by updating the equalization-grant benchmark and clarifying eligibility for libraries affected by property tax caps. It affects the Illinois Library System Act, specifically Section 8, and influences how the State Librarian administers grants to public libraries and library systems. The bill does not create a new grant program, but it modifies the funding formula and eligibility rules that determine which libraries qualify and how much support they receive.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong support for the bill: it passed the Illinois House on third reading by a unanimous 115-0 vote. No committee transcripts are available, so there is no recorded debate in the provided materials. The vote outcome indicates broad bipartisan agreement or at least no visible opposition at the chamber level.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Based on the text, any potential concerns would likely center on the revised grant threshold, the treatment of libraries under property tax extension limits, and the adequacy of appropriations to meet the new per-capita standard. However, the unanimous House vote suggests those issues did not generate significant opposition in the recorded proceedings.
Relates to conducting a study on the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital funding; provides the department of education, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state, shall assess and report on the capital needs of such public library systems, including public libraries and association libraries.
Relates to conducting a study on the access of state public libraries and library systems to capital funding; provides the department of education, in consultation with the dormitory authority, the office of the state comptroller, and the public library systems of the state, shall assess and report on the capital needs of such public library systems, including public libraries and association libraries.
Prohibits libraries and library systems, including school libraries and school library systems from banning books or other materials based on partisan or doctrinal disapproval.