Bill > SB2101

This bill amends the Election Code to reduce the required number of signatures on petitions for public questions from 8% to 4% of the total votes cast for Governor in the preceding gubernatorial election. Specifically, the bill applies this change to three key scenarios: (1) submitting a public policy question to voters in a municipality, township, county, or school district; (2) submitting a localized public policy question in municipalities with over 1 million inhabitants; and (3) initiating petitions for proposed constitutional amendments or statewide advisory questions. The bill does not change the fundamental process of submitting public questions, but makes it easier for citizens to trigger referendums by lowering the signature threshold. The proposed changes apply to local and statewide ballot initiatives, allowing more flexibility for voters to propose and consider public policy questions. Importantly, the bill notes that these public questions remain advisory in nature, meaning their adoption or rejection does not automatically create legal effects. The reduction in required signatures could potentially increase civic participation by making it less challenging to qualify a proposal for voter consideration.

Government Affairs

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2101&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104