'Live & Learn' Offers $33 Million For Libraries And Organ Donation By SECRETARY OF STATE GEORGE H. RYAN

I recently proposed a new, innovative "Live & Learn" program to provide unprecedented state funding for libraries and organ donor programs. On the deadline for this issue of the "Illinois Municipal Review," the proposal — which was amended onto House Bills 1525 and 2123 — had passed the Senate over-whelmingly and was in the House for agreement on the amendments.

My "Live & Learn" proposal would raise $33 million annually, including nearly $19 million to help rescue libraries across the state from a serious funding crunch. At a time when the use of libraries is at an all-time high, they are being forced to cut their book budgets, cut back their hours and lay off vital staff. Our state has one of the finest library networks in the nation. This will preserve that network and ensure that the doors of our libraries are open.

In addition, the package sets aside $2 million for efforts to increase donor organs and $12 million to pay for essential services provided by the Secretary of State's office.

Library Programs

As its primary purpose, "Live & Learn" would increase state funding of libraries by nearly 60 percent. The additional $19 million a year includes a 32 percent hike, from 95 cents to $1.25, in per-resident grants that local libraries can spend at their discretion. In addition, the program would:

• more than triple state funding for school libraries, from 21 cents to 75 cents per student, and

• provide $2 million for new technology and restore $6 million cut a year ago from grants to the state's 17 regional library systems.

Finally, the package would create a $5 million-a-year pool of funds to meet library construction needs. The funds would provide matching grants to libraries for new construction, remodeling and making libraries handicapped accessible.

Since the completion of the Build Illinois bonding program, there have been no state funds for library construction and expansion projects.

Organ Donor Awareness and Education

The money earmarked for organ donation would be used to educate Illinoisans about the critical need for more donor organs. About 1,420 people are marking time on waiting lists for life-saving organ transplants in Illinois, a 21 percent increase over last year.

Unfortunately, about one-third of them will die before having a transplant. The tragedy is that many potential donor organs are lost because families fail to discuss the issue of donation.

We will work with the procurement groups, such as the Regional Organ Bank of Illinois and the Red Cross, to identify exactly how the money will be spent.

"Live & Learn" would be funded by raising two fees Illinois residents pay when buying new or used cars or trucks. The fee for changing, duplicating or replacing a title would increase from $5 to $13, while the fee for transferring license plates from one car to another would rise from $2 to $12. The fees are paid by one-third of Illinois vehicle owners each year.

The funding I am requesting for Secretary of State operations was already reflected in the budget request approved recently by the House. What I am now proposing is that the increase for my office be offset by these new revenues, rather than from existing general revenue or the Road Fund.

It is a secondary goal, but this money would allow us to pay our own way as we provide new services and shoulder cost increases at our offices across the state. For example, we would replenish the state's inventory of license plates, meet the costs of union contracts and pay for increases in expenses such as utilities, facility rentals and telecommunications.

On behalf of our libraries and those on organ waiting lists, I want to thank Senate President James "Pate" Philip, Minority Leader Emil Jones and their colleagues. Together, we have established a new and permanent source of funding that will save lives and improve the quality of life throughout Illinois.

Sponsors of HB 2123 were Philip (R-Wood Dale) and Sens. John J. Cullerton (D-Chicago) and Patrick J.O'Malley (R-Palos Park). House sponsors are Minority Leader Lee A. Daniels (R-Elmhurst) and Reps. Roger P. McAuliffe (R-Chicago) and Jack L. Kubik (R-Forest Park).

The other measure — HB 1525 — gives me the authority to spend the revenue raised through "Live & Learn." Sponsors were Philip and Sen. John W. Maitland (R-Bloomington). House sponsors are Daniels and Reps. Tom Ryder (R-Jerseyville) and Robert F. Olson (R-Broadwell). •

June 1993 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 5