Section 3035.730  Grant Application and Awards

a)         Applications shall be submitted to the Illinois State Library in a manner prescribed by the State Librarian. Applicants shall provide the information stipulated in Section 3035.135(d).

b)         The Illinois State Library shall award grants subject to the conditions stipulated in Sections 3035.135 and 3035.140, 2 CFR 215 (2004) and 2 CFR 200 (current version).

c)         Awards shall be made on or after July 1 of every year for the fiscal year then commencing.

d)         The grant period shall be contained within the fiscal year in which the grant is awarded, unless otherwise specified in the grant agreement, but in no event shall the grant period continue for more than 3 years.

e)         The applicant must certify, pursuant to 75 ILCS 10/3, that the applicant has adopted either the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights that indicates materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval or provide a written policy that indicates the applicant will protect the intellectual freedom of the library user and shall prevent censorship of its library materials, ensuring that items are not withdrawn from its library collection merely because individuals or groups object to the material.  Pursuant to 75 ILCS 10/3, an individual school library or public school district applicant may provide written procedures, currently in effect at the school or school district, that indicates its library or libraries will protect the intellectual freedom of the library user and shall prevent censorship of its library materials, ensuring that items are not withdrawn from its library collection merely because individuals or groups object to the material. The applicant shall certify that for grants made under this Section on or after January 1, 2024, and upon request of the State Librarian, the applicant agrees to provide the Illinois State Library with any final decision for the reconsideration of library materials during the term of the grant award.

f)         The applicant shall submit reports, in accordance with Section 3035.140(b), on the use of grant funds as required by the Illinois State Library.

g)         Obligations of the Illinois State Library to fund this grant program will cease immediately without penalty or further payment being required if the Institute of Museum and Library Services or the United States Congress fails to appropriate or otherwise make available sufficient funds. Award notification will be released upon legislative and gubernatorial approval of an appropriation. 

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 948, effective January 1, 2024)