Vote-by-mail making progress in Illinois General Assembly

Posted on May 21, 2020
Kelly Burke (Photo courtesy: Dave Dahl, WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Remember when Illinois had Primary Election Day despite the pandemic? A proposal to expand vote-by-mail for the general election – in 2020 only – is making progress in the Illinois General Assembly. 

The sponsor, State Rep. Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park), said, “Through this bill, we try to make vote-by-mail more user-friendly, efficient, secure, and accessible. And, as we adapt to the public health guidelines and new technologies, it’s important that we do everything we can to protect our residents and ensure that they have access to voting.”

State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) says he likes the idea of vote by mail but says the bill enables boosters who would aggressively round up ballots.

In committee, it was a party-line vote.

SB 1863 has passed the House Executive Committee.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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