Quinn Signs Election Reform Legislation
CHICAGO (STMW) -- Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday signed election reform legislation that he says will empower Illinois' residents with better access to the democratic process.
Senate Bill 1586 creates more opportunities to initiate referenda at the local and statewide levels, and simplifies the election code to make it more consistent and clear, a release from Quinn's office said.
Historically, the release said, Illinois has had limited ballot access. This bill contains three major reforms that are intended to improve access to the democratic process throughout Illinois.
The legislation allows local school boards to initiate advisory referendum by resolution for the first time in Illinois history, the release said. It also lowers the petition signature requirement for initiating referenda to a uniform 8 percent of the gubernatorial vote.
Additionally, the bill eliminates bureaucratic hurdles in the petition process for constitutional amendments by cutting the requirement that petitions to initiate referenda be segregated by election jurisdiction. This reduces the chance that petitions or an initiative could be thrown out based on a technicality.
The bill also increases voting access for service members by allowing ballots to be emailed to military voters who are overseas.
"On the very day we celebrate our democracy, I am enacting a bill that will put more power in the hands of the people of Illinois," Quinn said. "By giving voters more authority at the ballot box, they will have a better opportunity to hold elected officials accountable and we will continue to create a more vibrant democracy in our state."
Sponsored by Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and Rep. Michael Zalewski (D-Chicago), the new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2012.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
