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Illinois 2016 ballot measures
One statewide ballot measure was certified to appear on the Illinois ballot on November 8, 2016.
The Illinois Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox Amendment was on the November 8, 2016, ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. It was designed to prevent lawmakers from using transportation funds for anything other than their stated purpose. The measure was approved.
The Illinois Independent Map Amendment was stricken from the ballot by the Illinois Supreme Court. In a 4-3 decision on August 25, 2016, the Court ruled that it would be unconstitutional to grant legislative mapmaking powers to an independent commission.[1]
Petitioners led a similar effort in 2014 but failed to attain a referendum on the state's November ballot after Cook County Judge Mary L. Mikva ruled the proposal unconstitutional on June 27, 2014. The Illinois Independent Redistricting Amendment, also known as the Yes for Independent Maps campaign, was struck down after Mikva found that it prevented members of a similar commission from running for the general assembly. She did add that the initiative had potential, and the independent map coalition stated it would try again in 2016.[2]
Citizens of Illinois may only initiate constitutional amendments. Citizens may not initiate state statutes or veto referendums. The Illinois General Assembly may place legislatively referred constitutional amendments on the ballot with a three-fifths majority vote of each chamber.
Citizens were required to file at least 290,216 valid signatures for initiated constitutional amendments. Due to the stringent qualification process and restrictions placed on what types of amendments can be proposed, initiated constitutional amendments rarely make the ballot in Illinois.
The 2016 state legislative session ran from January 13, 2016, to May 31, 2016, during which time the Illinois State Legislature was able to place legislative referrals on the ballot.
Historical facts
A total of 10 measures have appeared on statewide ballots between 1998 and 2016. Ballot measures only appear in even-numbered years in Illinois.
- The number of measures appearing on statewide ballots between 1998 and 2016 has ranged from one to five.
- From 1998 to 2016, 80 percent of statewide ballots (eight of 10) were approved by voters, and 20 percent (two of 10) were defeated.
On the ballot
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRCA | Transportation Lockbox | Budget | Lockbox on transportation funds |  |
Not on the ballot
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CICA | Independent Map Amendment | Redistricting | Allows residents to view and participate in redistricting, creates 11-member commission to draw boundaries | 
|
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of Illinois Springfield (capital) |
|---|---|
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