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* The Wisconsin-based PAC referenced here, McHenry County Citizens for Lower Taxes, was funded solely by Republican congressional candidate Catalina Lauf…
The Huntley school board led by a group whose campaign got thousands in funding from a Wisconsin PAC is considering not taking an $8,000 library grant for the district because it's tied to an anti-book banning law https://t.co/Bs33bOaq4e
— John_Sahly (@JSahly) October 13, 2023
* School board president Andy Bittman received the most money from the PAC. From the Northwest Herald story…
The prospect of Huntley schools accepting a library grant from the state of Illinois – whose new anti-book-ban law means those who take the money can’t restrict material for “partisan or doctrinal” reasons – raised some red flags among District 158 school board members.
Board President Andy Bittman, who called the law “political popcorn” at a Thursday evening board meeting, said he was concerned about the strings attached to the funding, particularly whether they would limit the district’s ability to restrict what students can access on the internet.
“I don’t want to make the internet wide open,” Bittman said.
Wait. Let’s stop right there. According to a spokesperson for Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, the grant “has nothing to do with the internet.”
* Back to the story…
Bittman and Murray ran for the school board last spring on a slate alongside board member Michael Thompson and former board member Gina Galligar, who resigned last month.
Thompson previously told the Northwest Herald about his objections to certain books, specifically mentioning “This Book is Gay” and “Gender Queer,” two books that discuss LGBTQ+ topics, but Thompson said that wasn’t why he objected to them.
Sure.
Also, according to the secretary of state’s office, this round of grants is exempt from the state’s new law.
Hey, they’re free to turn down the state money. But they do need to be called out on their “reasoning.”
[Isabel Miller contributed to this post.]
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:07 am
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=== they’re free to turn down the state money. But they do need to be called out on their “reasoning.” ===
Exactly. They surely ran on a platform. They were elected on a platform that was political and doctrinal. To suggest other interests are not allowed (e.g., the needs for non-heterosexual, cis individuals to know they are normal), that in itself is the political popcorn be used to entice people to see non-heterosexual, cis individuals as “abnormal.”
And given Rich and Isabel’s notations that there are in fact no strings and explicit exemption from law, shame on those who support this nonsense.
Comment by H-W Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:25 am
Finally, our libraries are being put in the capable hands of illiterates.
Comment by Roadrager Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:25 am
I honestly don’t think these sorts of people care if there are libraries at all. I think they think that if they are not allowed to be the arbiters of what can and cannot be read then they are perfectly happy to not have libraries. The book banners are a tiny minority out there and yet we continue to indulge their nonsense.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:30 am
Don’t most of the whacks in McHenry usually rant about their property taxes? Seems like the state $$ could lessen the need for real estate dough. But then this allows them to be their zany selfs.
Comment by Annonin' Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:31 am
It is legitimately difficult these days to tell who on the right is lying and who is just wildly ignorant (with no desire on their part to learn the necessary facts).
Comment by Homebody Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:36 am
D-300 schools would be happy to take that money off of their plate. Libraries and education are the problem here. /S
Comment by Froganon Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:40 am
The willful acceptance of the “book ban” narrative by the media, and the total lack of reporting regarding the actual content in the books and the young audience these books target, is very disappointing. I suppose everyone is afraid to report these days. The right wing won’t call out their own, and neither will the left.
Comment by James Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:42 am
===regarding the actual content in the books===
Meh. Just tell your own kids what they’re allowed to do under your own roof, but don’t tell others what they are allowed to do in their own homes.
It’s not a difficult concept. Butt the heck out of other peoples’ lives.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:45 am
=== The right wing won’t call out their own, and neither will the left. ===
Good point.
Comment by Hannibal Lecter Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:48 am
=== The right wing won’t call out their own, and neither will the left. ===
What book banning here is being done by the Left?
Is this whatabouting for its own sake?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:51 am
“I suppose everyone is afraid to report these days.”
I agree, there are a lot of reporters afraid to accurately describe the terrorism that the US right is engaged in around libraries and schools.
Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:55 am
Nice to know these folks in leadership positions have the intellectual rigor and take the time to fully understand the details of these grants. That way they can make informed decisions in the best interests, especially fiscal interests, of their constituents. Oh wait, I’m thinking of someone else.
Comment by Sir Reel Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 10:58 am
=restrict what students can access on the internet=
Tweens/Teens have cell phones. They are accessing stuff much more graphic than what is in the school library. They also have multiple social media accounts. One their family knows about and the ones they share with their friends.
Comment by Live WIre Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 11:01 am
For crying out loud this is a high school district. Why is the school board getting wrapped up in what is in the high school library. Besides the fact that the bill does not address internet use. These kids can find out anything they want to on their cell phones- just like Live Wire says. Best way to get a kid to read a book is to tell them it is banned. Sales will go up and so will the circulation at surrounding libraries!
Comment by Dupage Dem Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 11:29 am
=regarding the actual content in the books.=
Let’s call this exactly what it is. If it’s offensive to me, I don’t want you to read it.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 11:33 am
==Thompson said that wasn’t why he objected to them.==
Riiiight. Pay no attention to that burning pile of hardcovers over my shoulder. /S
My personal fave is Alabama banning ‘Read Me a Story, Stella’ because the author’s last name was Gay.
Comment by Jocko Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 11:44 am
===Read Me a Story, Stella’ because the author’s last name was Gay.
Control F censorship
Comment by ArchPundit Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 12:59 pm
I don’t think they should allow to even discuss banning a book unless they have read it and wrote a book report. Then, maybe they wouldn’t walk around showing off there new scarlet colored A and think it means Awesome.
Comment by Lurker Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 1:14 pm
Missing the good old days when you tried to hide your ignorance… not find ways to put it on display.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 1:24 pm
- My personal fave is Alabama banning ‘Read Me a Story, Stella’ because the author’s last name was Gay. -
Goes to prove one can be too careful…especially the barely literate.
Comment by Dotnonymous x Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 1:44 pm
Ask to see a book banners reading list.
Those who don’t read don’t need no stinking books…right?
Comment by Dotnonymous x Friday, Oct 13, 23 @ 1:49 pm