State Dollars Possible for Oak Park Public Library 
Construction Project

 Oak Park residents who have passed the fundsfor  a new main library,
may now get some State funds to help. Under the leadership of State Representative
Skip Saviano, an appropriations bill was introduced in the state legislature this month to provide
 $10 million for building a new main library in Oak Park. Co-sponsors on his bill to
provide funding toward a new main library in Oak Park include State Senators 
Lightford, Walsh and Cronin and State Representative Sharp, Giles and Durkin,
all of whose districts include a portion of Oak Park. “Libraries are vital to our 
communities,” Representative Saviano said. “They provide essential services
for everyone, from seniors to younger families with small children.”

 The Oak Park Public Library has conducted a 10-year effort toward planning for
a new main library. In December, 1999, the library board unanimously approved 
a proposal to build a new main library to accommodate space for growing print 
and non-print collections, provide seating for quiet reading and study, accommodate 
group study and provide more parking for patrons. 

 A referendum on the March 21, 2000, ballot will ask Oak Park voters to approve
up to $30 million for construction of a new main library and maintenance on the
63-year-old Maze Branch Library. Library Board President Janet Kelenson is
heartened at the prospects of obtaining state funding to defray taxpayer costs
for a new main library. “We are excited about this opportunity to bring Oak Park
tax dollars back to our community. This development gives Oak Park voters 
even more reason to vote “Yes” on the March 21 referendum,” Kelenson said. 
“With the opportunity to put state funding into the pot, now is an ideal time to 
remedy the long-standing shortage of space at the main library. We appreciate
the efforts of Representative Saviano and his colleagues to bring our tax dollars
back home.”

 Representative Saviano is no newcomer to library advocacy. He has already 
been instrumental in obtaining funding for a new library for nearby Elmwood Park.
His efforts, and those of colleague State Senator Daniel Cronin, have obtained
funding commitments for construction of a new building with double the square
footage of the current Elmwood Park library. He is currently advocating an 
Illinois First appropriation for Dominican University’s Department of Library Science.

 Representative Saviano’s focus has also included Oak Park. His efforts have resulted
in funding for restoration of Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace and he is currently 
working toward funding the restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece, 
Unity Temple.

  How You Can Help
Below we have email address for elected
officials and cut and paste letters to send,
all you need to do is add a name and sign 
yours !!!

 Library Board President Janet Kelenson suggests that Oak Park residents
can help bring Illinois First funding to Oak Park by writing to 
Governor George Ryan and Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White,
urging them to include in the state budget $10 million toward construction of a 
new main library in Oak Park. “Contributing a small amount of your time, 
plus two 33-cent stamps, could result in a big payback for Oak Park,” Kelenson said. 
“We ask that you mail your letters now, since Rep. Saviano will be setting up
mid-March meetings for us with the Governor and Secretary of State, and we
would like to have them hear from Oak Park residents in advance of these
meetings. For a small investment of your time, you can help bring a significant 
amount of money to Oak Park to fund a new library for your family, your 
community and future generations.”

To send a letter to Gov. George Ryan and Secretary of State Jesse White,
use the following addresses:

The Honorable George Ryan
Governor of the State of Illinois
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

The Honorable Jesse White
Secretary of State
213 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

Or Email them for free at the following links:

highlight and copy the letter below and
then just paste it into your letter...

For the subject of the message use
PLEASE HELP OAK PARK
 

Oak Park is very happy with the wonderful support that we have received from the State of Illinois under the leadership of our elected officials.  Several of the neighboring towns have had some assistance with their building of new libraries.  Oak Park and its’ residents would like very much to ask for your careful consideration in helping us obtain Ten million dollars  in State funds to be applied to our new library plans in Oak Park that will  require a total in the amount of Thirty million dollars. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Illinois First funding for Oak Park Public Library project
Name and address list for letters of support

Governor George Ryan   207 State House
      Springfield, IL  62706
      (217) 782-6830 fax:  (217) 524-1675
      e-mail:  governor@state.il.us

Secretary Jesse White   213 State House
      Springfield, IL  62706
      (217) 782-2201 fax:  (217) 785-0358
      e-mail: secwhite@ccgate.sos.state.il.us

Senator Kimberly Lightford  311 State House 
District 4     Springfield, IL  62706
      (217) 782-8505 fax: (217) 782-3213
      e-mail lightford@senatedem.state.il.us

Senator Thomas Walsh   118 State House
District 22     Springfield, IL  62706
      (217) 782-2015 fax: (217) 782-4079
      e-mail: walsht@interaccess.com

Senator Dan Cronin    127 State House 
District 39     Springfield, IL  62706
      (217) 782-8107 fax: (217) 782-4079
      does not use e-mail

Representative Wanda Sharp  2068-M Stratton Building 
District 7     Springfield, IL  62706
      (217) 782-8120 fax:  (217) 782-1739
      e-mail:  sharp@housedem.state.il.us

Representative Calvin Giles   2090-M Stratton Building 
District 8     Springfield, IL  62706
      (217) 782-5962 fax: (217) 782-2779
      e-mail: giles@housedem.state.il.us

Representative James Durkin  2003-G Stratton Building 
District 44     Springfield, IL  62706
      (217) 782-1061 fax: (217) 782-1023
      e-mail:  durkinj@interaccess.com

Representative Angelo Saviano  2112-N Stratton Building 
District 77     Springfield, IL  62706
      (217) 782-3374 fax:  (217) 782-0595
      does not use e-mail