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Oppose Censorship in Illinois Public Libraries!

February 21, 2005

Dear Action Alert Member,

Your call is needed! House Bill 2458, a measure that mandates that all public libraries in the State of Illinois use faulty filtering software that censors constitutionally protected materials, and requires adults to explain to library personnel their reason for seeking access to constitutionally protected material – contrary to federal law – will be heard in the House Judiciary I – Civil Law Committee this week! House Bill 2458 also allows the Attorney General – or any citizen – to sue a public library for failing to sufficiently censor materials by use of filters that have been shown to be ineffective and faulty.

On Tuesday, February 22nd (Monday is a state holiday) please your state representative at the number listed below and tell him/her to vote “NO” on House Bill 2458.

House Bill 2458 goes further than recent Supreme Court decisions, requiring even libraries that don’t accept federal funds to install internet filters to the computers used by all patrons. More details about House Bill 2458 appear below. Please call your state representative on Tuesday!

If possible, please email ACLU Legislative Director Mary Dixon at mdixon3@attglobal.net to let her know you were able to contact your representative. Her ability to lobby is greatly enhanced by knowing that legislators are hearing from their constituents.

Illinois House Judiciary I – Civil Law – Committee

John A. Fritchey – 11th District – (217) 782-2458

John E. Bradley – 117th District – (217) 782-1051

James D. Brosnahan – 36th District – (217) 782-0515

Careen M. Gordon – 75th District – (217) 782-5997

Julie Hamos – 18th District – (217) 782-8052

Jay C. Hoffman – 112th District – (217) 782-8018

Randall M. Hultgren – 95th District – (217) 782-1653

Lou Lang – 16th District – (217) 782-1252

Sidney H. Mathias – 53rd District – (217) 782-1664

Elaine Nekritz – 57th District – (217) 558-1004

JoAnn D. Osmond – 61st District – (217) 782-8151

Chapin Rose – 110th District – (217) 558-1006

Jim Sacia – 89th District – (217) 782-8186

Ronald A. Wait – 69th District – (217) 782-0548

View PDF fact sheet