July 1, 2026 – The Decatur Public Library and Decatur Public Schools are among Central Illinois recipients of state grant funding aimed at strengthening library services, literacy programs and student learning.
State Sen. Doris Turner announced that more than $475,000 has been awarded to 10 public libraries and school districts across Central Illinois through several Illinois Secretary of State grant programs.
The Decatur Public Library received $119,887 in Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid funding, while Decatur Public School District 61 was awarded $5,968 through the state’s School Library Grant program.
The funding can be used to support library collections, technology, literacy programming, infrastructure improvements and security upgrades. School library grants are awarded annually to help strengthen literacy and learning opportunities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
“Libraries provide free access to educational, historical and literacy resources that keep our neighbors informed and equipped with facts,” Turner said in a statement. “When we invest in our libraries, we are investing in our communities, empowering families to learn and grow together.”
Statewide, the Illinois Secretary of State awarded more than $27 million to over 640 public libraries and 2,500 school libraries through its Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants, Security and Construction Grants, and School Library Grants.
In addition to the Decatur recipients, funding was awarded to libraries and school districts in Chatham, Rochester, Springfield, Stonington and Edinburg.
