Category Archives: Government Relations

The Government Relations Committee keeps apprised of library-related government activity and provides information to the CALL community. In particular, stays informed of the work of the AALL Government Relations Committee and the Washington Affairs Office.

Stay tuned for more from the Government Relations Committee!

The Government Relations Committee is hard at work to curate programs and information of use to librarians in Illinois. Stay tuned for exciting opportunities, including the following:

  • A special guest appearance from Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias at the May CALL meeting
  • A webinar on effective advocacy for libraries and libraries
  • Updated information on the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act in Illinois

The committee is chaired by Eugene Giudice and includes members Ross Prolic and Sally Holterhoff.

Interested in prior years of the Government Relations Committee? Take a look at annual reports and other materials on the Bulletin.

CALL Government Relations Committee 2021-2022 Annual Report

Chair: Sarah Reis

Members: Sally Holterhoff, Jeffrey Meyerowitz, Joe Mitzenmacher, Sarah Walangitan

Board Liaison: Mandy Lee

Committee Charge:

Government Relations Committee keeps apprised of government activity pertaining to libraries and information policy by staying informed of the work of the AALL Government Relations Committee and the Government Relations Office. Shares updates with the CALL community and promotes equitable access to justice and access to information. Advocates policy interests and views of CALL on issues affecting law libraries and legal information professionals in the Chicago area, Illinois, and neighboring states. Continue reading CALL Government Relations Committee 2021-2022 Annual Report

CALL Government Relations Committee 2020-2021 Annual Report

Chair: Sarah Reis

 Members: Eugene Giudice, Sally Holterhoff, Joe Mitzenmacher, Mary Ellen Murphy, Sarah Walangitan

 Board Liaison: Mandy Lee

Committee Charge:

 Government Relations Committee keeps apprised of government activity pertaining to libraries and information policy by staying informed of the work of the AALL Government Relations Committee and the Government Relations Office. Shares updates with the CALL community and promotes equitable access to justice and access to information. Advocates policy interests and views of CALL on issues affecting law libraries and legal information professionals in the Chicago area, Illinois, and neighboring states. Continue reading CALL Government Relations Committee 2020-2021 Annual Report

UELMA Update: An Interview with Jacob Jost, Illinois Supreme Court Reporter of Decisions

Five years ago, the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act (UELMA) was signed into Illinois law. Our state was the 11th one to enact this uniform law; at this point it has been enacted in 21 states (Texas, most recently) plus the District of Columbia.

Starting in 2016, the official online versions of Illinois Supreme and Appellate Court opinions have been affixed with a digital signature. These signatures are administered by the Reporter of Decisions and certify that the opinion is a true copy of the official opinion.

Continue reading UELMA Update: An Interview with Jacob Jost, Illinois Supreme Court Reporter of Decisions

Recap: Creating a History Program For Your Organization

On October 1, 2019, Gretchen Van Dam, CALL member and Northern District of Illinois Court Historical Association Vice President and Archivist gave a presentation on the topic, “Creating a History Program for Your Organization: Lessons Learned from the Northern District of Illinois Court Historical Association.” The event took place at the Northern District of Illinois Court History Museum on the 21st floor of the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S.  Courthouse.

Find an overview of the tour and questions that can guide you through creating a historical organization in this recap from our CALL Mentorship & Leadership Development Committee.
Continue reading Recap: Creating a History Program For Your Organization

Another Successful AALL Lobby Day and Rewarding CALL Participation – July 12, 2019

“…[A] government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”  – Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address

Heidi Kuehl at the Committee on Foreign Affairs office in Congress for AALL Lobby Day

Whenever I think I’m quite impossibly too busy to add another conference or professional development item to my “to do” task list, I am pleasantly reminded of how rewarding it is to continue to engage with all of the tremendously talented members of CALL/AALL and dig deeper with expansion of professional experiences.  AALL Lobby Day 2019 in D.C. was a perfect example of an extremely worthy and rewarding event.

Continue reading Another Successful AALL Lobby Day and Rewarding CALL Participation – July 12, 2019

ILA Legislative Meetup

On February 1, I attended the Illinois Library Association’s (ILA) Legislative Meet-up at the Harold Washington Library. Both state and federally elected leaders were invited to meet with librarians from across the city. I wanted to learn more about our state library’s legislative priorities and have an opportunity to speak to elected officials face-to-face alongside librarians from a variety of disciplines.

This event, and others around the state which happen every year, allows attendees to sit around a table with an elected representative. It’s a welcoming environment where librarians are invited to share stories and ask questions of the members at their table. Continue reading ILA Legislative Meetup