Chicago Librarians Advocate Against Federal Book Ban Legislation
A federal bill, H.R. 7661, has been introduced in Congress that could establish a national book ban, potentially overriding Illinois' Public Act 103, which prohibits book bans. The bill is seen as unlikely to pass but is criticized as a tactic to instill fear in schools and libraries. Chicago librarians are actively opposing this legislation, urging residents to contact their representatives to block its progress. They emphasize the importance of school librarians in enhancing literacy and defending students' First Amendment rights. The Chicago Teachers Union has secured a contract to increase the number of school librarians, aiming to double their presence by 2028. 
