Learning Objectives: Learn how the legislative process works, the role that interest groups play in that process and how the library community can maximize their impact in the legislative arena.

Description: The presentation will focus on how the legislative process works, the role that interest groups play in that process and how the library community can maximize their impact in the legislative arena.

Mr. Ragen has served as the Chief Deputy Director of the Illinois State Library since July, 1999. His duties entail assisting with the overall administration of the State Library, administering the distribution of grants, the development of budget priorities and legislation affecting libraries, responding to legislative inquiries, interacting with the media, initiating new projects and developing long term strategies to maintain the State Library as a significant information resource for the people of Illinois. A considerable amount Mr. Ragen's time is devoted to interacting with the library community of Illinois, which includes approximately 4,000 libraries and the 12 regional library systems.

Prior to joining the State Library, Mr. Ragen served as the Director of Policy Analysis and as a policy analyst for the Illinois Senate Democratic Staff from 1978 to the time of his appointment as Chief Deputy Director. In that capacity, Mr. Ragen provided senators an appraisal of the legal, political and social aspects of proposed law. His work focused on legislation affecting banking, elections and general government administration..

Please e-mail Angela angelat@rpls.ws at RPLS, if you have any questions.