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Illinois Governor Vetoes Bill Allowing Library SecessionIllinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich vetoed legislation August 19 that would have allowed communities to secede from library districts after obtaining approval from the affected library boards and voters. Blagojevich gave financial reasons for his veto, saying secession efforts would create additional tax liability for both the community and the library district and significantly reduce the district’s revenue.The proposal’s cosponsor, state Sen. Terry Link (D-Waukegan), had proposed it as a solution to a longstanding controversy over library service in Vernon Hills that would allow the town to break away from the two library districts that now serve it and create its own facilities, according to the August 20 Arlington Heights Daily Herald. Part of the town lies in Libertyville’s Cook Memorial Public Library District, where voters have rejected three attempts to build a new facility in Vernon Hills, which is currently served by a small branch. “This addresses communities like Vernon Hills that have grown up over the years and have residents interested in expanding their access to library services,” state Rep. Kathy Ryg (D-Vernon Hills), told the July 29 Chicago Tribune. Supporters of the legislation have voiced confidence that they can to obtain the three-fifths majorities needed to override Blagojevich’s veto when the legislature returns for its veto session in late October. Ryg pointed out in the August 25 Vernon Hills Review that the General Assembly passed the bill with a “veto-proof” vote. Link blamed the veto on bad advice from a staffer in Blagojevich’s office. “The governor’s concerns missed the safeguards that were built into the legislation,” Ryg said. “He was concerned that it allowed expansion of taxing authority, and we worked very hard to ensure that there would be mutual agreement.” Posted August 26, 2005. |
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