summary
Introduced
02/05/2025
02/05/2025
In Committee
04/11/2025
04/11/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Election Code. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2026, a person convicted of a felony, or otherwise under sentence in a correctional institution, shall have his or her right to vote restored and shall be eligible to vote not later than 14 days following his or her conviction. Provides that a person who is serving a sentence in a correctional institution starting prior to January 1, 2026 shall have his or her right to vote restored not later than January 14, 2026. Provides that a person may not be denied the right to vote because of a past criminal conviction. Provides that each local election authority shall coordinate with the correctional institution, Illinois Department of Corrections, and other correctional agencies incarcerating eligible voters to facilitate voting by mail for those voters eligible to vote in that election jurisdiction who are incarcerated in the correctional institution. Provides that the Attorney General, any individual aggrieved by a violation of these provisions, any entity whose membership includes individuals aggrieved by a violation of these provisions, any entity whose mission would be frustrated by a violation of these provisions, or any entity that would expend resources in order to fulfill its mission as a result of a violation of these provisions may file an action in a court of competent jurisdiction. Provides that the Act is intended to benefit and protect the rights of individual voters and to provide a remedy for infringing on the rights granted under this Act. Amends the Re-Entering Citizens Civics Education Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Reintegration and Civic Empowerment Act. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall conduct the civics peer education program each of the 3 sessions not less than twice a month at each correctional institution totaling not less than 6 sessions per month at each correctional institution. Provides that the civics peer education program and workshops must be made available to all committed persons regardless of the date they were first committed or the length of their sentence. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2026.
AI Summary
This bill comprehensively reforms voting rights for individuals with criminal convictions in Illinois, focusing on restoring voting rights and providing civic education. Beginning January 1, 2026, the bill automatically restores voting rights to individuals convicted of a felony or currently serving a sentence in a correctional institution within 14 days of their conviction. The legislation requires local election authorities to coordinate with correctional institutions to facilitate voting by mail for eligible incarcerated voters and ensures that individuals cannot be denied the right to vote because of a past criminal conviction. The bill also expands the existing Re-Entering Citizens Civics Education Act (now renamed the Reintegration and Civic Empowerment Act) by mandating that the Department of Corrections conduct at least six civics peer education program sessions per month at each correctional institution. These sessions will be available to all committed persons, regardless of their commitment date or sentence length, and will provide nonpartisan education about voting rights, governmental institutions, and democratic processes. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for civil actions and potential attorney's fees for those whose voting rights are infringed, and requires annual reporting on program implementation, including data on voter registration and ballot requests from correctional facilities.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (12)
Lakesia Collins (D)*,
Mary Edly-Allen (D),
Graciela Guzmán (D),
Mattie Hunter (D),
Kimberly Lightford (D),
Robert Peters (D),
Willie Preston (D),
Mike Simmons (D),
Rachel Ventura (D),
Karina Villa (D),
Celina Villanueva (D),
Mark Walker (D),
Last Action
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen (on 05/08/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1733&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/SB/10400SB1733.htm |
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