Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Ninth District, IL

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Patriot Act and North Suburban Libraries

Monday, February 16, 2004

                                       By Bernie Tafoya - WBBM Newsradio 780

(Buffalo Grove, IL) -- The potential sting of the Patriot Act was one of the issues focused on this morning when north suburban librarians and library trustees met with state and federal lawmakers. LISTEN HERE

North suburban librarians and library officials met with state and federal legislators this morning in Buffalo Grove and library customers' rights to privacy was one of the main themes.

Officials talked of their concern over state funding issues of public libraries, but they also spoke of their concern about the Patriot Act and how they’d like to see repealed the portion of the law that deals with libraries and bookstores.

The law allows federal agents to find out what books or videos you’ve checked out of the library or even what Internet Web sites you’ve visited at the library --all in the name of Homeland Security.

Marilyn Genther of the Mt. Prospect Library was among those who want Congress to repeal portions of the Patriot Act. She says she thinks “it’s a slippery slope for privacy and individual rights.”

Many people at the gathering here in Buffalo Grove signed a nationwide petition calling on Congress to eliminate that portion of the Patriot Act.

Cong. Jan Shakowsky was one of 67 members of the House of Representatives who voted against the Patriot Act. She thanked librarians for “being at the front lines to protect our civil liberties.”

Shakowsky spoke of having in her office a signed copy of signs that appear at the Skokie library warning patrons “their private information may not be so private”.

The Justice Department has insisted it has NOT used that portion of the Patriot Act, but there have been many libraries that have insisted otherwise.

Douglas Rathe, a trustee with the Wilmette Public Library says Congress “simply went overboard” in trying to do the right thing to protect the country. Rathe signed the petition which will be presented to members of Congress in early May.