Chicago, IL – Illinois Secretary of State, Alexi Giannoulias, took center stage in a U.S. Senate committee hearing on Tuesday, where he passionately advocated for a new Illinois law designed to safeguard freedom of speech by preventing book bans.
The recently passed law, enacted earlier this year, unequivocally prohibits state funding for any library that removes books from its shelves for “partisan or doctrinal” reasons. This legislative move by Illinois is in response to the ongoing controversy surrounding book bans in predominantly Republican-led states, where some books have been deemed offensive and targeted for removal from schools and libraries.
Giannoulias emphasized the significance of this legislation during his testimony, stating, “This legislation is important because both the concept and the practice of banning books contradicts the very essence of what our country stands for and what our democracy was founded on.” His words underscored the law’s commitment to preserving the principles of free speech and open access to diverse ideas.
Data from the American Library Association revealed that in 2022, there were a staggering 67 attempts to ban books in Illinois. To qualify for state funding under the newly enacted Illinois Library System Act, libraries in the state must align with the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, which firmly asserts that books “should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.”
The new law is set to go into effect on January 1, 2024, reinforcing the state’s commitment to protecting intellectual freedom and access to a wide range of perspectives.
In addition to his advocacy in the Senate, Giannoulias has launched a dedicated website, banbookbans.com, where individuals can share their personal experiences and gain insights into safeguarding freedom of speech. This online platform aims to foster a community of like-minded individuals who are committed to defending the values enshrined in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.