Springfield, IL – Illinois libraries will soon have expanded protections and increased access to security funding after bipartisan legislation drafted by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias was signed into law last week.
The newly enacted law enables the Secretary of State’s office to award grant funding aimed at improving security at public, school, and academic libraries throughout Illinois. Libraries will be permitted to use these state grants for measures such as installing security cameras, silent alarms, and security checkpoints, among other safety upgrades.
According to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, the law was sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (28th District-Des Plaines) and State Representative Michael Coffey Jr. (95th District-Springfield). The measure received strong backing from organizations including the Illinois Library Association and the Illinois Municipal League.
Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill into law last week, and it will take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The legislation comes in response to a significant rise in threats targeting libraries, with more than 25 bomb threats reported across Illinois over the past two years. The Illinois State Library and multiple other locations have reportedly received repeat threats, sparking concerns about the safety of library staff and patrons.
“Libraries should serve as welcoming places for life-long learning and community engagement, but unfortunately they have faced increased threats of violence and acts of intimidation in recent years,” Secretary Giannoulias said. “The personal safety of librarians should not be their primary concern while doing their jobs.”
Previously, state law contained penalties for threats targeting schools, public officials, and human service providers but did not offer the same protections for libraries or librarians. The new law addresses this gap, offering increased safety measures and resources to help libraries respond to security challenges.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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