Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 27, 2009 IL SB 1381 Legalize Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 28)
April 27, 2017 IL SB 14 Establishes New Pension Guidelines Bill Passed - House (63 - 45)
May 1, 2006 IL SB 1445 Election Code Revisions Bill Passed - House (61 - 40)
May 31, 2011 IL SB 145 Nursing Home Infection Control Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 24)
May 30, 2011 IL SB 145 Nursing Home Infection Control Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
April 11, 2019 IL SB 145 Requires Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
Oct. 11, 2007 IL SB 1463 Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 37)
Oct. 3, 2007 IL SB 1463 Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
March 7, 2019 IL SB 1474 Prohibits Local Right to Work Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
May 19, 2023 IL SB 1476 Restructures the State Housing Appeals Board and Affordable Housing Plan Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
May 8, 2023 IL SB 1476 Restructures the State Housing Appeals Board and Affordable Housing Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (62 - 39)
May 4, 2006 IL SB 1520 2006-2007 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
May 3, 2006 IL SB 1520 2006-2007 Budget Bill Passed - House (64 - 49)
Nov. 6, 2013 IL SB 1523 Amends Pension Code Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
May 11, 2023 IL SB 1526 Requires Department of Transportation Develop a Mobile App to Provide Traffic Updates Bill Passed - House (69 - 40)
May 11, 2023 IL SB 1560 Increases Fees and Oversight on the Timber Buying Industry Bill Passed - House (81 - 29)
March 23, 2023 IL SB 1560 Increases Fees and Oversight on the Timber Buying Industry Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14)
May 25, 2016 IL SB 1564 Requires Healthcare Workers to Provide Treatment Options Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (33 - 21)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Bill Passed - House (61 - 56)
July 26, 2007 IL SB 1592 Electricity Relief and Regulation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
July 26, 2007 IL SB 1592 Electricity Relief and Regulation Bill Passed - House (80 - 33)
April 20, 2007 IL SB 1592 Electric Rates Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
March 14, 2019 IL SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - House (70 - 40)
March 6, 2019 IL SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
May 27, 2014 IL SB 16 Amends Formula for School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
Jan. 12, 2021 IL SB 1608 Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
Jan. 11, 2021 IL SB 1608 Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 39)
May 30, 2019 IL SB 1609 Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
May 28, 2019 IL SB 1609 Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
May 23, 2019 IL SB 1610 Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations Bill Passed - House (84 - 32)
March 6, 2019 IL SB 1610 Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14)
May 27, 2013 IL SB 1639 Requires Reimbursement for the Sale of Unhealthy Pets Bill Passed - House (67 - 49)
May 1, 2013 IL SB 1639 Requires Reimbursement for the Sale of Unhealthy Pets Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
Oct. 26, 2011 IL SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 42)
Oct. 26, 2011 IL SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 31, 2011 IL SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 24)
May 30, 2011 IL SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Bill Passed - House (67 - 47)
Feb. 28, 2018 IL SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 52)
April 27, 2017 IL SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 21)
May 19, 2023 IL SB 1665 Exempts Unconditional Subsidies from Medical Financial Assistance Considerations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
May 9, 2023 IL SB 1665 Exempts Unconditional Subsidies from Medical Financial Assistance Considerations Bill Passed - House (68 - 40)
May 27, 2009 IL SB 1682 Pre-need Funeral Funds Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 30)
May 30, 2017 IL SB 1696 Establishes a Muslim Advisory Council Bill Passed - House
Dec. 1, 2022 IL SB 1698 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
Dec. 1, 2022 IL SB 1698 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law Bill Passed - House (95 - 8)
Oct. 27, 2011 IL SB 1701 Legal Immunity for Individuals Seeking Treatment for Drug Overdose Bill Passed - House (61 - 53)
Jan. 7, 2007 IL SB 1714 Competitive Electric Utilities Bill Passed - House (71 - 29)
Dec. 1, 2010 IL SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 24)
Nov. 30, 2010 IL SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (61 - 52)
May 1, 2013 IL SB 1739 Expands State Casino Development Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
May 6, 2021 IL SB 1747 Establishes Tax Advantaged Zones for Green Energy Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 11)
May 31, 2017 IL SB 1761 Prohibits "Gay Panic" Defense Bill Passed - House
May 5, 2017 IL SB 1761 Prohibits "Gay Panic" Defense Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 0)
May 25, 2023 IL SB 1769 Requires State Government Vehicles be Zero Emission by 2030 Bill Passed - House (69 - 35)
May 11, 2023 IL SB 1769 Requires State Government Vehicles be Zero Emission by 2030 Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
Nov. 13, 2019 IL SB 1784 Amends Labor Union Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 9)
Oct. 29, 2019 IL SB 1784 Amends Labor Union Regulations Bill Passed - House (93 - 23)
Oct. 29, 2019 IL SB 1786 Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets Bill Passed - House (88 - 27)
March 28, 2019 IL SB 1786 Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
Aug. 31, 2021 IL SB 18 Requires All Energy Production to be from Renewable Energy Sources by 2050 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
May 22, 2012 IL SB 1808 Authorizes Individuals to Record Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (71 - 45)
May 31, 2012 IL SB 1849 Expands Gambling Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 26)
May 23, 2012 IL SB 1849 Expands Gambling Bill Passed - House (69 - 47)
May 22, 2020 IL SB 1863 Expands Absentee Voting for the Upcoming General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
May 21, 2020 IL SB 1863 Expands Absentee Voting for the Upcoming General Election Bill Passed - House (72 - 43)
Oct. 29, 2019 IL SB 1864 Prohibits Use of Vaping Devices in Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 11)
May 9, 2023 IL SB 1883 Prohibits Human Contact With Bears or Other Nonhuman Primates Bill Passed - House (73 - 35)
March 24, 2023 IL SB 1883 Prohibits Human Contact With Bears or Other Nonhuman Primates Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 9)
May 10, 2023 IL SB 1909 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Crisis Pregnancy Centers Bill Passed - House (72 - 40)
March 31, 2023 IL SB 1909 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Crisis Pregnancy Centers Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 31, 2009 IL SB 1918 Low-Income Energy Assistance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 11)
April 8, 2014 IL SB 1922 Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
April 8, 2014 IL SB 1922 Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
May 5, 2017 IL SB 1933 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Aug. 28, 2017 IL SB 1947 Establishes School Funding Plan Bill Passed - House (73 - 34)
Oct. 29, 2019 IL SB 1970 Authorizes Student Absences for Voting Bill Passed - House (74 - 40)
April 10, 2019 IL SB 1970 Authorizes Student Absences for Voting Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
March 1, 2006 IL SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
April 1, 2008 IL SB 1997 Interscholastic Event Image Release Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5)
May 19, 2023 IL SB 2034 Requires Large Employers Provide 12 Weeks of Paid Family Leave for Employees that Experience the Loss of a Child Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 10)
May 11, 2023 IL SB 2034 Requires Large Employers Provide 12 Weeks of Paid Family Leave for Employees that Experience the Loss of a Child Bill Passed - House (81 - 24)
March 2, 2016 IL SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Veto Override Failed - House (69 - 48)
March 2, 2016 IL SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
Jan. 28, 2016 IL SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (67 - 42)
Sept. 9, 2015 IL SB 2046 Appropriates Funds for the Department of Public Health Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 31, 2016 IL SB 2048 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 31)
May 31, 2016 IL SB 2048 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 31)
May 26, 2016 IL SB 2048 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (60 - 53)
April 16, 2008 IL SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15)
May 15, 2008 IL SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - House (64 - 44)
March 17, 2016 IL SB 2059 2016 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
April 17, 2008 IL SB 2063 South Suburban Airport Authority Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 7)
April 11, 2019 IL SB 2075 Requires 5-Year-Olds to Attend Kindergarten Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
May 28, 2019 IL SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
April 10, 2019 IL SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
May 25, 2023 IL SB 2123 Amends Various State Election Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 18)
May 25, 2023 IL SB 2123 Amends Various State Election Laws Bill Passed - House (36 - 18)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
May 23, 2020 IL SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/27 SB 1381 Legalize Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 28)
4/27 SB 14 Establishes New Pension Guidelines Bill Passed - House (63 - 45)
5/01 SB 1445 Election Code Revisions Bill Passed - House (61 - 40)
5/31 SB 145 Nursing Home Infection Control Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 24)
5/30 SB 145 Nursing Home Infection Control Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
4/11 SB 145 Requires Presidential Candidates to Release Tax Returns Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
10/11 SB 1463 Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 37)
10/03 SB 1463 Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
3/07 SB 1474 Prohibits Local Right to Work Laws Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 12)
5/19 SB 1476 Restructures the State Housing Appeals Board and Affordable Housing Plan Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
5/08 SB 1476 Restructures the State Housing Appeals Board and Affordable Housing Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (62 - 39)
5/04 SB 1520 2006-2007 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27)
5/03 SB 1520 2006-2007 Budget Bill Passed - House (64 - 49)
11/06 SB 1523 Amends Pension Code Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
5/11 SB 1526 Requires Department of Transportation Develop a Mobile App to Provide Traffic Updates Bill Passed - House (69 - 40)
5/11 SB 1560 Increases Fees and Oversight on the Timber Buying Industry Bill Passed - House (81 - 29)
3/23 SB 1560 Increases Fees and Oversight on the Timber Buying Industry Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 14)
5/25 SB 1564 Requires Healthcare Workers to Provide Treatment Options Bill Passed - House (61 - 54)
5/31 SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (33 - 21)
5/31 SB 1566 Increases License Plate Fees Bill Passed - House (61 - 56)
7/26 SB 1592 Electricity Relief and Regulation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 13)
7/26 SB 1592 Electricity Relief and Regulation Bill Passed - House (80 - 33)
4/20 SB 1592 Electric Rates Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 20)
3/14 SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - House (70 - 40)
3/06 SB 1596 Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16)
5/27 SB 16 Amends Formula for School Funding Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
1/12 SB 1608 Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
1/11 SB 1608 Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements Bill Passed - House (70 - 39)
5/30 SB 1609 Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
5/28 SB 1609 Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit Bill Passed - House (62 - 52)
5/23 SB 1610 Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations Bill Passed - House (84 - 32)
3/06 SB 1610 Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14)
5/27 SB 1639 Requires Reimbursement for the Sale of Unhealthy Pets Bill Passed - House (67 - 49)
5/01 SB 1639 Requires Reimbursement for the Sale of Unhealthy Pets Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
10/26 SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 42)
10/26 SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/31 SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 24)
5/30 SB 1652 Smart Grid Technology Bill Passed - House (67 - 47)
2/28 SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - House (64 - 52)
4/27 SB 1657 Requires State-Level License to Sell Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 21)
5/19 SB 1665 Exempts Unconditional Subsidies from Medical Financial Assistance Considerations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 18)
5/09 SB 1665 Exempts Unconditional Subsidies from Medical Financial Assistance Considerations Bill Passed - House (68 - 40)
5/27 SB 1682 Pre-need Funeral Funds Amendments Bill Passed - House (71 - 30)
5/30 SB 1696 Establishes a Muslim Advisory Council Bill Passed - House
12/01 SB 1698 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 8)
12/01 SB 1698 Amends Unemployment Insurance Law Bill Passed - House (95 - 8)
10/27 SB 1701 Legal Immunity for Individuals Seeking Treatment for Drug Overdose Bill Passed - House (61 - 53)
1/07 SB 1714 Competitive Electric Utilities Bill Passed - House (71 - 29)
12/01 SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 24)
11/30 SB 1716 Authorizing Civil Unions Bill Passed - House (61 - 52)
5/01 SB 1739 Expands State Casino Development Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 20)
5/06 SB 1747 Establishes Tax Advantaged Zones for Green Energy Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 11)
5/31 SB 1761 Prohibits "Gay Panic" Defense Bill Passed - House
5/05 SB 1761 Prohibits "Gay Panic" Defense Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 0)
5/25 SB 1769 Requires State Government Vehicles be Zero Emission by 2030 Bill Passed - House (69 - 35)
5/11 SB 1769 Requires State Government Vehicles be Zero Emission by 2030 Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 20)
11/13 SB 1784 Amends Labor Union Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 9)
10/29 SB 1784 Amends Labor Union Regulations Bill Passed - House (93 - 23)
10/29 SB 1786 Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets Bill Passed - House (88 - 27)
3/28 SB 1786 Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
8/31 SB 18 Requires All Energy Production to be from Renewable Energy Sources by 2050 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
5/22 SB 1808 Authorizes Individuals to Record Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - House (71 - 45)
5/31 SB 1849 Expands Gambling Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 26)
5/23 SB 1849 Expands Gambling Bill Passed - House (69 - 47)
5/22 SB 1863 Expands Absentee Voting for the Upcoming General Election Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19)
5/21 SB 1863 Expands Absentee Voting for the Upcoming General Election Bill Passed - House (72 - 43)
10/29 SB 1864 Prohibits Use of Vaping Devices in Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 11)
5/09 SB 1883 Prohibits Human Contact With Bears or Other Nonhuman Primates Bill Passed - House (73 - 35)
3/24 SB 1883 Prohibits Human Contact With Bears or Other Nonhuman Primates Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 9)
5/10 SB 1909 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Crisis Pregnancy Centers Bill Passed - House (72 - 40)
3/31 SB 1909 Authorizes Lawsuits Against Crisis Pregnancy Centers Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/31 SB 1918 Low-Income Energy Assistance Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (47 - 11)
4/08 SB 1922 Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
4/08 SB 1922 Amends the City of Chicago Employee Pensions Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
5/05 SB 1933 Authorizes Automatic Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
8/28 SB 1947 Establishes School Funding Plan Bill Passed - House (73 - 34)
10/29 SB 1970 Authorizes Student Absences for Voting Bill Passed - House (74 - 40)
4/10 SB 1970 Authorizes Student Absences for Voting Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
3/01 SB 1991 Minority and Female Investors in Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 23)
4/01 SB 1997 Interscholastic Event Image Release Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 5)
5/19 SB 2034 Requires Large Employers Provide 12 Weeks of Paid Family Leave for Employees that Experience the Loss of a Child Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 10)
5/11 SB 2034 Requires Large Employers Provide 12 Weeks of Paid Family Leave for Employees that Experience the Loss of a Child Bill Passed - House (81 - 24)
3/02 SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Veto Override Failed - House (69 - 48)
3/02 SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
1/28 SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (67 - 42)
9/09 SB 2046 Appropriates Funds for the Department of Public Health Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/31 SB 2048 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 31)
5/31 SB 2048 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 31)
5/26 SB 2048 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (60 - 53)
4/16 SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15)
5/15 SB 2052 Taxes for Levee Repair Bill Passed - House (64 - 44)
3/17 SB 2059 2016 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
4/17 SB 2063 South Suburban Airport Authority Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 7)
4/11 SB 2075 Requires 5-Year-Olds to Attend Kindergarten Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16)
5/28 SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - House (69 - 45)
4/10 SB 2090 Expands Access to Voting in Jails Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
5/25 SB 2123 Amends Various State Election Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 18)
5/25 SB 2123 Amends Various State Election Laws Bill Passed - House (36 - 18)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19)
5/23 SB 2135 Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)

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