Effective January 1, 2027, Illinois public libraries will have a new statutory obligation to prominently display information concerning the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Background
Public Act 104-0808, known as Tammurra’s Act, was signed into law on August 7, 2026. The Act amends several statutes governing Illinois public libraries, including the Illinois Local Library Act, the Public Library District Act of 1991, the Village Library Act and the Libraries in Parks Act. Accordingly, the new requirement applies broadly to Illinois public libraries regardless of the particular statute under which the library is organized.
- For libraries organized under the Illinois Local Library Act, the requirement appears in new Section 1-9 (75 ILCS 5/1-9).
- For public library districts, it appears in new Section 1-27 of the Public Library District Act (75 ILCS 16/1-27).
- The Act establishes substantially identical requirements under the Village Library Act and Libraries in Parks Act.
The statutory requirement itself is brief. It provides that a public library “shall place contact information for the 9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the library in a prominent location that is visible to and accessible by patrons.”
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a nationwide service that provides free and confidential crisis support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Individuals may call or text 988 or use the Lifeline’s online chat service.
What does this mean for libraries?
By January 1, 2027, each covered library should have 988 contact information displayed in a location that is prominent, visible to patrons and accessible to them. The Act does not prescribe the size or format of the notice, require particular wording beyond making the contact information available or designate a specific location within the library where the information must appear.
As a practical matter, libraries should place the notice in an area patrons are likely to see, such as near the main entrance, circulation or service desk, community information area or another conspicuous public location. Libraries operating multiple branches or separate facilities should consider posting the information at each location.
Libraries do not need to design their own notices. Official 988 posters and other materials are available through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These materials provide the relevant contact information and can be downloaded or ordered for use in public facilities.
It is also important to understand the scope of the new requirement. The library provisions of Tammurra’s Act establish a posting obligation. They do not require library employees to serve as crisis counselors, evaluate whether a patron is experiencing a mental health crisis or undertake a particular intervention. The Act also does not establish a new employee training requirement for libraries.
Libraries should take the following steps before January 1, 2027:
- Review their facilities to determine an appropriate location for the required information.
- Obtain an official 988 poster or other suitable notice containing the required contact information.
- For libraries with multiple branches or facilities, consider posting the information at each location.
Because the statutory standard requires the information to be in a “prominent location” that is “visible to and accessible by patrons,” libraries should avoid placing the notice solely in an employee-only area, administrative office or other location that patrons would not ordinarily see or access.
Libraries have several months to prepare for the new requirement, but we recommend addressing it in advance of the January 1, 2027 effective date so that the appropriate signage is in place when the law becomes effective.
Please feel free to contact Dennis G. Walsh with any questions concerning Tammurra’s Act or implementation of the new 988 posting requirement at your library.
Authored by:
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- Dennis G. Walsh
