Lombard Library Trustee
Rich Lo with "Lombard"
Ginger with Rich Lo and County Board District 2 Rep Paula Decon Garcia
Rich Lo-Waves of DuPage: Beautiful Cities Public Art Project
Helen Plum Library is honored to host Lombard’s original artwork from Rich Lo, featuring a view from Lilacia Park, including the historic ginkgo trees at the corner of Maple and Park, focusing on one of Lombard’s most recognizable sites, Maple Street Chapel. This piece will also be on display in the McAninch Arts Center along with the other Waves of DuPage works during the Hokusai and Ukiyo-e exhibition from May 31-Sep 21, 2025.
ILLINOIS HB 42 Update
When I was running for trustee two years ago, I discovered all of the areas of Lombard that are unincorporated. These areas do not benefit from the Helen Plum Library services without paying their tax assessment. Unlike residents, anyone who comes to the library to get a library card from an unincorporated area has to pay the tax in one lump sum at the time they want to get their kid a book and it has to be in the form of a check because that is how the current law is written. WHAT??
Residents pay their taxes in two allotments and many people break that down into 12 month installments in an escrow account. I wanted to make the non resident fee easier to pay so that families in unincorporated areas were able to make multiple payments for this service as residents do.
Why is this important? It brings more of Lombard into the Library - a community hub and it is a revenue bonus for the library.
I, along with Trustee Julie Kowalski-Schmidt approached State Representative Terra Costa Howard and State Senator Laura Ellman for assistance in changing the old legislation. The Illinois House Bill 42 will allow libraries to determine the number of payments allowed for a non resident library card, thus making it easier for families in unincorporated areas to afford to pay into for the library benefits. This bill has passed the House and Senate. It is now waiting for Governor Pritzker's signature!
Ginger with Illinois Senator Laura Ellman and Carol Stream Village Clerk,
Julia Schwarze
ILA Statement on the Termination of
Dr. Carla Hayden as the Librarian of Congress-Why this firing is unethical!
Remember, the Library of Congress does NOT lend books to children or adults. It is a research library for Congress and a depository of books of significant importance. The Library of Congress also handles the US Copyright Office.
Even though I was sad to see Jennifer Erickson retire from our board, it was my honor to swear in Bijal Patel as our newly elected Trustee. At this same meeting, I was voted Treasurer for the Helen Plum Trustee Board for the next two years.
Let our Senators Duckworth and Durbin and Your Representative know that the Library is valuable.
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