Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has taken a bold step against censorship in schools by signing a new law designed to prevent book bans. The legislation, signed in Springfield, aims to protect students' access to a wide range of literature, particularly works by marginalised authors.
A Stand Against Censorship
The new law makes Illinois the first US state to penalise schools that ban books for political or ideological reasons. Libraries that restrict access to books based on partisan or discriminatory grounds risk losing state funding.
Growing National Debate
This move comes as book bans surge across America, with conservative groups targeting titles dealing with race, LGBTQ+ issues, and controversial historical topics. Governor Pritzker emphasised that 'access to information is a fundamental right' during the signing ceremony.
What the Law Means
- Schools must adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights
- Institutions banning books risk losing state grants
- Protections for works by marginalised authors
- Support for diverse viewpoints in school libraries
The legislation has drawn praise from free speech advocates while facing criticism from some conservative groups who argue it infringes on local control of education.
