(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Legislation advancing in Springfield would target people who make threats against libraries in Illinois.
The bill was introduced after several libraries across the state received threats. Authorities said in some cases, the people making the threats were trying to censor or restrict information provided by libraries.
The bill has the support of Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who is also the state librarian. He said it’s a sign of the times that such legislation is needed.
The bill would allow prosecutors to charge people accused of making threats against libraries or library workers with criminal offenses that would draw similar penalties to the ones on the books for threatening school employees and elected officials.
The legislation moved to the floor of the Illinois House, after it was approved by a committee.
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