With many states and smaller local governments in the U.S. banning or attempting to ban books, Illinois’ state government is doing the opposite, penalizing book bans by withdrawing funding from libraries that restrict or remove books due to “partisan or doctrinal” disapproval.
I don’t personally care for the penalty that’s imposed, as removing access to libraries inherently affects less affluent socioeconomic groups much more harshly. Political action towards banning a book from a library should result in all libraries receiving the book in question to be stored accessibly in the appropriate book section. Like a weaponized Streisand effect in the pursuit of greater literacy and the protection of the ideal that knowledge is a human right.
It’s sad that parts of society seem to be regressing to the point where this law is even needed.
Banning banning things is my kind of freedom!
so much for the tolerant left 😔 /j
