Senate Bill 128 Summary

• Requires a binding public question on the 2014 general election ballot in counties where library services cover only part of the county's territory, asking voters in unserved areas whether to extend library services countywide.

• Establishes a Public Library Services Planning Committee in each applicable county, composed of library board members, township trustees, school superintendents, municipal executives, and county commissioners/council presidents, to develop a library services expansion plan.

• If approved by voters, library service expansion takes effect on January 1 of the second year following the election; if defeated, another referendum cannot be held before the second general election thereafter.

• Requires the planning committee to hold public hearings on the proposed plan, publish maps and financial data showing assessed valuations and tax rates, and post the plan on the internet.

• Allows school boards serving formerly unserved areas to make the next eligible appointment to the library board, and directs the Department of Local Government Finance to adjust tax levies and budgets to account for the expansion.