Banned Books /tags/banned-books Banned Books en-US Copyright © 2024 Wed, 02 Apr 2025 04:01:40 GMT Conservative-leaning candidates keep control of Collinsville-Fairmont City library board /government-politics-issues/2025-04-01/fairmont-city-collinsville-library-board-turmoil-metro-east The library board that serves Collinsville and Fairmont City will remain conservative leaning after Tuesday’s election. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 04:01:40 GMT /government-politics-issues/2025-04-01/fairmont-city-collinsville-library-board-turmoil-metro-east Will Bauer Ideological liberal candidates vie to retake a Metro East library board /government-politics-issues/2025-03-28/collinsville-fairmont-city-library-board-elections The Mississippi Valley Library District board of trustees has been caught up in culture war-like issues for the past two years. On Tuesday, three of its seven seats are open, and the winners will steer the board as it navigates issues including aging facilities and staff unionization. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 09:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2025-03-28/collinsville-fairmont-city-library-board-elections Will Bauer Open spot to determine future of Metro East library board embroiled in culture wars /government-politics-issues/2025-01-21/metro-east-library-board-replacement-embroiled-culture-wars The Mississippi Valley Library District board of trustees currently has a 3-3 ideological split. Finding a replacement for a vacant board spot just a couple of months before the election could swing the board away from a conservative majority. Tue, 21 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2025-01-21/metro-east-library-board-replacement-embroiled-culture-wars Will Bauer Francis Howell school board lifts ban on hate speech, false claims in educational materials /education/2024-09-20/francis-howell-school-board-lifts-ban-on-hate-speech-false-claims-in-educational-materials The school board voted 5-2 in favor of the policy to allow hate speech, false science and false historical claims if a book is “educationally suitable.” But books will still be banned for containing drug use, descriptions of crime and sexual conduct. Fri, 20 Sep 2024 10:01:00 GMT /education/2024-09-20/francis-howell-school-board-lifts-ban-on-hate-speech-false-claims-in-educational-materials Lauren Brennecke Francis Howell school board may allow hate speech, false information in school materials /education/2024-09-19/francis-howell-school-board-may-allow-hate-speech-false-information-in-school-materials If the policy amendment passes, "hate speech, false science, and false historical claims” would be allowed in educational materials — but books would still be banned for containing drug use, descriptions of crime and sexual conduct. Thu, 19 Sep 2024 10:00:00 GMT /education/2024-09-19/francis-howell-school-board-may-allow-hate-speech-false-information-in-school-materials Lauren Brennecke Francis Howell school board will restrict books, conversation about gender identity /education/2024-08-19/francis-howell-school-board-will-restrict-books-conversation-about-gender-identity The new policy bans books that include excessive violence, drug use and sexual content. Another measure aims to keep students and teachers from talking about gender identity in the classroom. Mon, 19 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT /education/2024-08-19/francis-howell-school-board-will-restrict-books-conversation-about-gender-identity Lauren Brennecke Francis Howell School Board again tables vote on bathroom measure for trans students /education/2024-08-15/francis-howell-school-board-bathroom-trans-students-book-bans Opponents of the policies are threatening legal action if the board passes measures requiring students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match the sex on their birth certificates. Fri, 16 Aug 2024 05:05:00 GMT /education/2024-08-15/francis-howell-school-board-bathroom-trans-students-book-bans Lauren Brennecke What are some of the new Illinois laws taking effect in 2024? /government-politics-issues/2023-12-30/new-illinois-laws-taking-effect-2024 More than 300 Illinois far-ranging statutes will become laws in the new year, including prohibitions on book bans and enshrining the right to sue for "deepfake porn." Sat, 30 Dec 2023 12:00:00 GMT /government-politics-issues/2023-12-30/new-illinois-laws-taking-effect-2024 Peter Hancock, Andrew Adams, Jerry Nowicki Two years of efforts to ban books are taking a toll on school librarians /education/2023-12-15/two-years-of-efforts-to-ban-books-are-taking-a-toll-on-school-librarians The efforts to remove books from school libraries started with parents in local school districts and eventually led to state legislatures. After two years of controversy, one school librarian says her colleagues are leaving the profession because it has become too painful. Fri, 15 Dec 2023 11:00:00 GMT /education/2023-12-15/two-years-of-efforts-to-ban-books-are-taking-a-toll-on-school-librarians Kate Grumke Metro East library district approves 8% tax levy — a compromise for some concerned patrons /government-politics-issues/2023-11-21/metro-east-library-district-approves-8-tax-levy-a-compromise-for-some-concerned-patrons For the median homeowner in Collinsville, whose home is worth $182,000, there will be an estimated increase of $9.38 in property taxes next spring. In Fairmont City, where the median home is worth $100,000, there will be an increase of $4.95, according to district documents. Tue, 21 Nov 2023 06:09:52 GMT /government-politics-issues/2023-11-21/metro-east-library-district-approves-8-tax-levy-a-compromise-for-some-concerned-patrons Will Bauer