By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – In what backers – led by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias – say is a first-in-the-nation measure, the General Assembly has sent the governor a bill withholding state grants from public libraries unless they agree not to ban books.

The bill says libraries must adhere to American Library Association standards, though the bill’s opponents said they were wary of just what that organization is all about and questioned how people are appointed to the association.

“I was talking to a member of my local library board,” said State Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville). “I asked them about the organization. They had never heard of the organization.”

The head of the public library in Springfield told reporters after the vote the measure is actually pro-parenting.

“(My husband and I) are responsible for the parenting of our children, and this bill in no way endangers that,” said Summer Beck-Griffith. “It gives the most local control.”

HB 2789 awaits the governor’s action.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]