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Sec. of State wants to prevent book bans in Ill. libraries
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) – More libraries in Illinois are being pressured to ban books off their shelves, according to the American Library Association. In 2022, the ALA registered 67 book banning attempts in the state, up from 41 in 2021.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who serves as the State Librarian, said far-right groups are behind the push of book banning. He says they want books written by or featuring LGBTQ people and people of color off the shelves.
“These efforts have nothing to do with books,” Giannoulias said. “Instead, they are about ideas that certain individuals disagree with and believe no one should think or be allowed to think.”
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Giannoulias is proposing legislation alongside Rep. Anne Stava Murray (D-Downers Grove), Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Champaign) and Sen. Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to prevent more book bans from happening in the state.
“This radical movement to ban books cannot be allowed in the state of Illinois – the state in which Ray Bradbury, the author of Fahrenheit 451 – a book that chronicled the dangers of censorship, book bans and book burning – called home,” Murphy said.
Under the new bill, Illinois libraries would be required to either issue a statement that they will prohibit banning controversial materials and books or show they follow the ALA Library Bill of Rights, which says “materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” If they don’t comply, the libraries would not be eligible for state grants.
Library officials support the measure, as they view it helps everyone in the community they serve.
“Not every book is for everyone, and library staff are always ready to help library users find the right book for themselves or their children,” Cynthia Robinson, the executive director of the Illinois Library Association, said. “Parents are encouraged to make decisions for their own families, but not for other families. Banning books takes crucial resources away from those who need them.”
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The governor also says he supports the bill.
“Banning books is a devastating attempt to erase our history and the authentic stories of many,” Governor J.B. Pritzker said. “Students across this state deserve to see themselves reflected in the pages of stories that teach and entertain.”
The bill would go into effect on January 1 if signed into law.
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.
Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.
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The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.
According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.
Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.
Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.
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ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.
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ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.
The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.
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Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.
A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.
The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.
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