Help Support Increase in Library System Funding

The Secretary of State's budget request for FY 2023 includes over $2.8 million in additional funding for the System Area and Per Capita Grant program. This represents the first increase in this program in over 25 years and will benefit all three Illinois library systems: RAILS, IHLS, and the Chicago Public Library System.

The increase will help RAILS continue to offer a variety of programs and services to help all types of libraries to collaborate and share resources. It will also help us to implement the goals in our new strategic plan. This plan is based largely on feedback from our members and addresses the challenges and needs you told us are the most important to you.

Please encourage your legislators in the Illinois General Assembly to support this increase in the Secretary of State's budget to ensure that Illinois library systems can continue to help member libraries provide the services that have become so vital to the communities they serve.