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Laws governing ballot measures in Illinois: Difference between revisions

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==External links==
This page provides an overview of resources addressing the laws and procedures that govern statewide and local ballot measures in [[Illinois]], including the initiative and referendum process, constitutional amendments, signature requirements, recall procedures, and campaign finance regulations.


* [http://www.iandrinstitute.org/New%20IRI%20Website%20Info/I&R%20Research%20and%20History/I&R%20at%20the%20Statewide%20Level/Constitution%20and%20Statutes/Illinois.pdf Illinois constitutional and statutory provisions]
<div style="font-size:1em; line-height: 1.4;">Explore the links below for more information:</div>
* [http://www.citizensincharge.org/states/illinois Illinois signature requirements] collated by the [[Citizens in Charge Foundation]]
* [[Types of ballot measures in Illinois]]
* [[Laws governing the initiative process in Illinois]]
* [[Amending state constitutions#Illinois |Amending the Illinois Constitution]]
* [[Laws governing local ballot measures in Illinois]]
* [[Signature requirements for ballot measures in Illinois]]
* [[Laws governing recall in Illinois]]
* [[Rules about constitutional conventions in state constitutions#Illinois |Laws governing state constitutional conventions in Illinois]]
* [[Campaign finance requirements for Illinois ballot measures]]
* [[#Changes to laws governing ballot measures in Illinois |Changes to laws governing ballot measures in Illinois]]


==Laws governing ballot measures in Illinois ==


{{illinois}}
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[[Category:Laws governing the initiative process]]
<span style="font-size:110%;">'''[[Types of ballot measures in Illinois]]'''</span>
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* Illinois has two types of citizen-initiated ballot measures: [[Initiated constitutional amendment|initiated constitutional amendments]] and [[Advisory question|initiated advisory questions]].
 
* In Illinois, the legislature can refer [[Legislatively referred constitutional amendments|constitutional amendments]], [[Legislatively referred bond measure|bond measures]], [[Advisory question|advisory question]], and [[State constitutional conventions|constitutional convention questions]] to the ballot.
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<span style="font-size:110%;">'''[[Laws governing the initiative process in Illinois]]'''</span>
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* In Illinois, citizens have the power to initiate [[Initiated constitutional amendment|constitutional amendments]] and [[Advisory question|advisory questions]].
 
* Illinois adopted the [[Initiative and referendum|initiative and referendum process]] in 1970, with voter approval of [[Illinois Constitution of 1970 Ratification Question (December 1970)|a new constitution]].
 
* Illinois voters have only decided on one constitutional amendment since 1970. The [[Illinois_Reduce_Size_of_House_of_Representatives_and_Eliminate_Cumulative_Voting_Initiative_(1980)|initiative]], which reduced the size of the state House, was approved with 69% of the vote.
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<span style="font-size:110%;">'''[[Amending state constitutions#Illinois|Amending the Illinois Constitution]]'''</span>
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* Illinois became a state in 1818. The current [[Illinois Constitution|state constitution]] was ratified in 1970.
 
* The Illinois Constitution can be amended in three ways:
** [[Legislatively referred constitutional amendment]]: The state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot, with a 60% vote in each legislative chamber.
** [[Initiated constitutional amendment]]: Citizens can initiate constitutional amendments in Illinois, but the amendments can only amend [[Article_IV,_Illinois_Constitution|Article IV of the Illinois Constitution]], which addresses the structure of the state legislature.
** [[Convention-referred constitutional amendment]]: A state constitutional convention can vote to refer constitutional changes to the ballot.
***According to [[Article_XIV,_Illinois_Constitution|Article XIV]] of the Illinois Constitution, a question about whether to hold a constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1918. Illinois is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.
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<span style="font-size:110%;">'''[[Laws governing local ballot measures in Illinois]]'''</span>
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* Illinois law provides for an advisory local initiative process on questions of public policy. A binding referendum is required on limited matters, such as tax levies and bonds.
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<span style="font-size:110%;">'''[[Signature requirements for ballot measures in Illinois]]'''</span>
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* In Illinois, the number of signatures required for a ballot initiative is tied to the number of votes cast in the preceding gubernatorial election.
** An [[initiated constitutional amendment]] requires a number of signatures equal to 8% of the votes cast for governor.
* The deadline for submitting signatures to get an initiative or referendum on the ballot for a particular general election is six months before that election.
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<span style="font-size:110%;">'''[[Laws governing recall in Illinois]]'''</span>
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* Illinois adopted a recall process in 2010, when voters approved [[Illinois_Governor_Recall_Amendment_(2010)|an amendment]] authorizing the governor to be recalled.
 
* The Illinois Constitution does not explicitly authorize the recall of local officials. Authority varies by local jurisdiction.
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<span style="font-size:110%;">'''[[Rules about constitutional conventions in state constitutions#Illinois|Laws governing state constitutional conventions in Illinois]]'''</span>
<div style="border-top:1px solid #D1D5DB; margin:0 0 0.5em 0; width:100%;"></div>
*According to [[Article_XIV,_Illinois_Constitution|Article XIV]] of the Illinois Constitution, a question about whether to hold a constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1918. Illinois is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.
 
* A 60% vote of both chambers of the Illinois State Legislature is required to place a constitutional convention question on the ballot.
 
* Approval of the constitutional convention question requires a simple majority vote.
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<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: flex-start; border: 1px solid #D1D5DB; border-radius: 1rem; padding: 20px; background-color: #ffffff; box-shadow: 0 2px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); max-width: 80%;">
<span style="font-size:110%;">'''[[Campaign finance requirements for Illinois ballot measures]]'''</span>
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* PACs that support or oppose ballot measures in Illinois must register and report campaign finance.
</div>
 
==Changes to laws governing ballot measures in Illinois ==
::''See also: [[Changes to laws governing ballot measures]]
 
{{Template:BPtabbed
|tabs-id= Illinois LawChangesYes
|count=8
 
|tab-1-label=2025
|tab-panel-1-content=
::''See also: [[Changes in 2025 to laws governing ballot measures]]''
 
The [[Illinois State Legislature]] did not pass legislation concerning ballot measures in 2025.
 
|tab-2-label=2024
|tab-panel-2-content=
::''See also: [[Changes in 2024 to laws governing ballot measures]]''
 
* '''[https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=464&GAID=17&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=112&GA=103 Senate Bill 0464]''': The bill exempted certain school districts from the referendum requirement for building or purchasing a school building (Tier 1 or Tier 2 school districts under the evidence-based funding provisions, districts with at least one school located on federal property, districts with a student population between 2,500 and 4,500, and districts that receive a federal Public Schools on Military Installations grant until June 30, 2030, if at least 75% of the construction cost is paid with those grant funds.<ref>[https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=464&GAID=17&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=112&GA=103 ''Illinois State Legislature'', "SB 0464," accessed August 31, 2024]</ref> {{BallotLawLegVotes|
|State=Illinois
|Bill=SB 0464
<!---Senate--->
| SenateTotalYes=58 | SenateTotalNo=0 | SenateTotalNV=1
| SenateDemYes = 40  | SenateDemNo =0  | SenateDemNV =0
| SenateRepYes = 18  | SenateRepNo =0 | SenateRepNV =  1
<!---House--->
| HouseTotalYes= 111 | HouseTotalNo= 0 | HouseTotalNV=0
| HouseDemYes = 73 | HouseDemNo =0  | HouseDemNV =0
| HouseRepYes = 38 | HouseRepNo = 0| HouseRepNV = 0
}}
 
|tab-3-label=2023
|tab-panel-3-content=
::''See also: [[Changes in 2023 to laws governing ballot measures]]''
 
The [[Illinois State Legislature]] did not pass legislation concerning ballot measures in 2023.
 
|tab-4-label=2022
|tab-panel-4-content=
::''See also: [[Changes in 2022 to laws governing ballot measures]]''
 
The [[Illinois State Legislature]] did not pass legislation concerning ballot measures in 2022.
 
|tab-5-label=2021
|tab-panel-5-content=
::''See also: [[Changes in 2021 to laws governing ballot measures]]''
 
The [[Illinois State Legislature]] did not pass legislation concerning ballot measures in 2021.
 
|tab-6-label=2020
|tab-panel-6-content=
::''See also: [[Changes in 2020 to laws governing ballot measures]]''
 
The [[Illinois State Legislature]] did not pass legislation concerning ballot measures in 2020.
 
|tab-7-label=2019
|tab-panel-7-content=
::''See also: [[Changes in 2019 to laws governing ballot measures]]''
 
The [[Illinois State Legislature]] did not pass legislation concerning ballot measures in 2019.
 
|tab-8-label=2018
|tab-panel-8-content=
::''See also: [[Changes in 2018 to laws governing ballot measures]]''
 
The [[Illinois State Legislature]] did not pass legislation concerning ballot measures in 2018.}}
 
==See also==
{{BallotsOrgSeeAlso}}
 
==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}
 
{{Laws governing ballot measures}}
{{Ballot measures}}

Latest revision as of 15:55, 13 February 2026

Laws governing ballot measures in the U.S.
BallotLaw final.png

Laws governing ballot measures in the U.S.

Changes to laws governing ballot measures

Types of ballot measures

Ballot measure policy topics

Select a state from the dropdown to learn more about laws governing ballot measures in that state.

This page provides an overview of resources addressing the laws and procedures that govern statewide and local ballot measures in Illinois, including the initiative and referendum process, constitutional amendments, signature requirements, recall procedures, and campaign finance regulations.

Explore the links below for more information:

Laws governing ballot measures in Illinois

Types of ballot measures in Illinois


Laws governing the initiative process in Illinois

  • Illinois voters have only decided on one constitutional amendment since 1970. The initiative, which reduced the size of the state House, was approved with 69% of the vote.


Amending the Illinois Constitution

  • The Illinois Constitution can be amended in three ways:


Laws governing local ballot measures in Illinois

  • Illinois law provides for an advisory local initiative process on questions of public policy. A binding referendum is required on limited matters, such as tax levies and bonds.


Signature requirements for ballot measures in Illinois

  • In Illinois, the number of signatures required for a ballot initiative is tied to the number of votes cast in the preceding gubernatorial election.
  • The deadline for submitting signatures to get an initiative or referendum on the ballot for a particular general election is six months before that election.


Laws governing recall in Illinois

  • Illinois adopted a recall process in 2010, when voters approved an amendment authorizing the governor to be recalled.
  • The Illinois Constitution does not explicitly authorize the recall of local officials. Authority varies by local jurisdiction.


Laws governing state constitutional conventions in Illinois

  • According to Article XIV of the Illinois Constitution, a question about whether to hold a constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1918. Illinois is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.
  • A 60% vote of both chambers of the Illinois State Legislature is required to place a constitutional convention question on the ballot.
  • Approval of the constitutional convention question requires a simple majority vote.


Campaign finance requirements for Illinois ballot measures

  • PACs that support or oppose ballot measures in Illinois must register and report campaign finance.

Changes to laws governing ballot measures in Illinois

See also: Changes to laws governing ballot measures
See also: Changes in 2025 to laws governing ballot measures
The Illinois State Legislature did not pass legislation concerning ballot measures in 2025.

See also

Ballot Measure Overview

State & Local Ballot Measures
Ballotpedia
Measures
  • • State ballot measures
  • • Local ballot measures
  • • Analyses
Topics
Law
History
  • • Historical Ballot Measures (HBM) Factbooks
  • • History of ballot measures by topic
Campaigns
  • • Campaign finance
  • • Endorsements
  • • Polls

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Illinois State Legislature, "SB 0464," accessed August 31, 2024
Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Laws_governing_ballot_measures_in_Illinois&oldid=11057259"