Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1924-01-04
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ILLINOIS FREE TEXT
BOOK LAW.

The citizens Of every school district
in Illinois have it within their power
to bring about the establishment of
the free text book system in the public
schools of their district if they so
desire.
Through the efforts of the Illinois
State Federation of Labor a law was
enacted by the State Legislature in
1919, authorizing each local board of
education on board Of school directors
to submit the question of free text
books to a vote Of the people 1s~the
district. In cases where school authori-
ties show a Discrimination to make the
first move, the free text book question
can be placed on the ballot through
petition of five per cent or more of the
citizens of the district.
The trade unions of Rockford, ILL
nois, were the first to take effective
advantage of the law. And through
their efforts the proposal TO establish
free text books in the Rockford public
school swas adopted by a vote of the
citizens. Later the question was taken
up in Chicago where, through the
activities of the Chicago Federation
Of Labor and other organizations. the
free text book system was established
in all the public schools of that great
city which ministers to the needs OF
approximately one half million school
children, presided over by eleven
thousand teachers in about three hun
bred public school buildings.
Experience proves the free text
book system to be thorough success
Trade unionists in everv school dis
trict within the state should take the
lead in bringing the subject to the
attention of the local board of educa-
ton and to the citizens of each school
district.
At the Decatur convention of the
Illinois State Federation of Labor, in
September, the committee on schools
presented the following resolution
which was adopted by unanimous vote
of the delegates:
Whereas, There is considerable mis-.
understanding of the exact provisions
of the Free Text Book Law, and
Whereas, There are many communi-
ties in Illinois which are not availing
themselves of the opportunities pro-
vided for by the law; therefore be 1t
Resolved, That the convention of
the State Federation of Labor author
a letter to all the locals again calling
attention to the law and pointing out
just how each community can ge 1t
into operation; and to publish in the
Weekly News Letter general article
on the Free Text Book Law. -
In accord with the instructions sof
the convention, therefore, a letter
calling attention to the provisions of
the law is being sent by Secretary
Treasurer Victor A. Olander of the
Illinois State Federation of Labor to
all affiliated organizations, as follows:
THE ILLINOIS STATE Fedora
TlON OF LABOR.
To Affiliated Central Bodies
and Local Unions.
Greeting!
The Forty-frst Annual Convention
of the Illinois State Federation of
Labor, which met at Decatur, Sept.
1915, 1928, instructed me to again
call your attention to the fact that un-
der the law enacted by the Illinois
Legislature a few years ago the citi.
zens of every school district within
the state CAL, II tney ueSlTe, DTlHB
about the establishment of the free
text book system in the public schools
of their district. For your informa-
ton, enclose herewith copy of the
law.
Your local board of education or
school directors may, on their own mi
tiative, submit the question of free
text books to a vote of the people of
the district. If the local board of
education or school directors will not
take the initiative, the question can be
brought to vote upon petition
signed by five per cent or more of the
voters of the district.
The free text book system now pre-
walls in all the public schools of Chi
cago. 1t also prevails in the public
schools of Rockford. 1t ought to pre-
vail in every district within the state.
Trade unionists, acting through their
respective local unions and central
bodies should take immediate steps
in accord with the law to bring about
the establishment of the free text
book system in the various school dis
tricts throughout Illinois.
Fraternally yours,
V. A. 0LANDER,
Secretary-Treasurer.