Illinois Voting Rights Act

In the 2026 legislative session, CHANGE Illinois worked closely with coalition partners to introduce the Illinois Voting Rights Act of 2026, SB3170. 

As federal courts have gutted and narrowed the protections of the federal Voting Rights Act—one of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation in our country’s history—and civil rights grow increasingly under strain, states must step in to make sure voters are not left vulnerable to discrimination or exclusion. Illinois has the opportunity to take control of protecting the right to vote by codifying and strengthening the core protections of the federal Voting Rights Act into state law. 

The Illinois Voting Rights Act will: 

• Ensure elections in Illinois are fair and accessible to everyone.
• Protect Illinois voters against further weakening of federal voting protections.
• Strengthen legal tools to combat voter suppression.
• Create stronger protections against unfair districts or election systems that prevent Black or Brown voters from having a real chance to elect the candidates they prefer.
• Expand language access requirements for voters with limited English proficiency so that every eligible voter can cast a ballot.

The Illinois Voting Rights Act of 2026 is supported by a broad, nonpartisan coalition of civil rights, voting rights, disability justice, faith-based, and community organizations across Illinois: Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights;  Lugenia Burns Hope Center; CHANGE Illinois; NAACP East St. Louis Branch; Access Living; Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community; Common Cause; Faith Coalition for the Common Good; HANA Center; Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative; NAACP Chicago Far-South Suburban Branch; Northside Action for Justice; People Matter; South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI); Westside Rising. 

We will continue to advocate for these important reforms in the coming legislative sessions and build our coalition of organizations supporting essential reforms to protect the people of Illinois.

To get involved, send a letter to your legislator telling them to support the IL Voting Rights Act. 

Past Legislative Victories

For years, CHANGE Illinois has led advocacy efforts to improve government and democracy in Illinois. Past wins include:

2020 Census appropriation

CHANGE Illinois and partners advocated for additional funding and equitable distribution of those funds to ensure a complete and accurate count for the 2020 Census. Counting every resident in Illinois is important to ensure we have a shot at fair political maps that represent all of us and to ensure our state’s interests are represented in Congress. We also receive federal dollars that are important for road repairs, building projects and public services based on our state’s population. The state allocated $29 million to assist in outreach, education, and public awareness for the census count.

SB2090: County jail ballot access

People who have not yet been convicted now have their voting rights restored to them. Our justice system’s foundation is that a person is innocent until proven guilty, therefore, no one should have their right to vote taken when they are detained. The law also calls for a polling place inside Cook County Jail.

HB2265: Middle school civics education

The middle school civics education law is a step toward helping students prepare to be civically engaged by requiring that middle schools offer a course on civics education. The course will equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to actively participate and understand government and the democratic process. The civics education curricula will include instruction on government institutions, discussion of current and societal issues, and simulations of democratic processes. To support middle-school teachers, schools, and districts, the McCormick Foundation has pledged to raise and fund $3 million in private donations to pay for the program statewide. 

HB2541: Re-Entering Citizens Civics Education Act

The act makes sure certain citizens who are leaving adult and juvenile prison facilities are provided with civics education courses to better prepare them to re-enter society. The courses are peer-to-peer taught and focus on government structures and how they work, as well as current political events and local issues. Research shows re-enfranchising people with criminal convictions and engaging them in their governments and elections reduces recidivism.