SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Election day is less than a month away, but Illinoisans headed to the ballot box won't just be casting their votes for presidential and congressional candidates.
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There are three statewide ballot measures that all Illinois voters will get to have their say on in November. All of them are non-binding advisory questions, which means that the results of the vote won't have an immediate impact on state law one way or another. It's simply a way for lawmakers to measure public opinion. Here's what the advisory questions are and what they do.
Advisory question: Creating penalties for candidates who interfere with election workers
Ballot text:
Should any candidate appearing on the Illinois ballot for federal, State, or local office be subject to civil penalties if the candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with an election worker's official duties?
Explanation:
This advisory question measures public interest on whether or not the legislature should establish penalties for political candidates who interrupt an election worker fulfilling their duties. In Illinois, tampering or interfering with voting machines is a Class 4 felony.
Yes means you want to see penalties if a candidate interferes with an election worker.
No means you don't support creating penalties if a candidate interferes with an election worker.
Advisory question: Placing an additional tax on income above $1 million
Ballot text:
Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1,000,000 for the purpose of dedicating funds raised to property tax relief?
Explanation:
This advisory question measures public interest on whether or not the legislature should create an additional tax on income over $1 million. The money collected from the 3% tax would be used for property tax relief. Right now, Illinois has a flat income tax rate of 4.95%.
Yes means you support creating the tax.
No means you don't support creating the tax.
Advisory question: Requiring Illinois insurance providers to cover IVF treatments
Ballot text:
Should all medically appropriate assisted reproductive treatments, including, but not limited to, in vitro fertilization, be covered by any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides coverage for pregnancy benefits, without limitation on the number of treatments?
Explanation:
This advisory question measures public interest on whether or not the legislature should require insurers in Illinois that cover pregnancy services to also provide coverage of IVF treatments.
Yes means you support requiring insurance providers to cover IVF.
No means you don't support requiring insurance providers to cover IVF.
