Signed by Governor JB Pritzker

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands voting rights in Illinois jails.

Highlights:

• Requires the election authority in counties with less than 3 million people to collaborate with county jails to provide an opportunity for eligible voters detained there to vote by mail (Sec. 5).

• Requires the election authority in counties of 3 million or more people to establish a temporary polling place in the county jail (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that only detainees who have not been convicted of the offense for which they are detained will be eligible to vote (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that each temporary polling place will allow a detainee to vote in the election that they would be entitled to vote in where they reside (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that all requirements of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Sections 203 and 208 of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act apply to this subsection (Sec. 5).

• Requires that election authorities collaborate with county jails to facilitate voter registration for eligible voters who are detained in, or released from the jail (Sec. 10).

• Requires that each county make detailed information regarding the voting rights of those with a criminal conviction available in print at each county jail and probation office (Sec. 10-15):

• In print;

• On the Department of Corrections website; and 

• In a visible location on the premises of each Department facility.

• Requires the Department to provide a person with the written notification of their restored voting rights, as well as a voter registration application, upon release from jail (Sec. 15).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands voting rights in Illinois jails.

Highlights:

• Requires the election authority in counties with less than 3 million people to collaborate with county jails to provide an opportunity for eligible voters detained there to vote by mail (Sec. 5).

• Requires the election authority in counties of 3 million or more people to establish a temporary polling place in the county jail (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that only detainees who have not been convicted of the offense for which they are detained will be eligible to vote (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that each temporary polling place will allow a detainee to vote in the election that they would be entitled to vote in where they reside (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that all requirements of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Sections 203 and 208 of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act apply to this subsection (Sec. 5).

• Requires that election authorities collaborate with county jails to facilitate voter registration for eligible voters who are detained in, or released from the jail (Sec. 10).

• Requires that each county make detailed information regarding the voting rights of those with a criminal conviction available in print at each county jail and probation office (Sec. 10-15):

• In print;

• On the Department of Corrections website; and 

• In a visible location on the premises of each Department facility.

• Requires the Department to provide a person with the written notification of their restored voting rights, as well as a voter registration application, upon release from jail (Sec. 15).

Full Bill Text