Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is spearheading legislation to enhance penalties against people who threaten libraries.
The measures are sponsored by state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray and state Sen. Laura Murphy. House Bill 4567 heads to the House floor after passing committee Thursday.
In the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee hearing, Stava-Murray said there’s been an uptick in violence against Illinois libraries.
She said between July 2023 and September 2023, there were 22 known bomb threats to libraries. State Rep. Will Guzzardi said he understands public servants are exposed to vitriol and disparagement, but worries this bill will expose people to extreme consequences.
Under the proposed law, individuals who send two “threatening messages” by electronic media would be subject to a Class 2 felony.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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