Lawmakers take all 3 advisory question spots on November ballot

Illinois lawmakers gave voters three issues on which they can offer opinions during the November election. They filled all the available ballot spots, leading a group with their own advisory question to cry ‘foul.’

Illinois lawmakers put a trio of advisory questions about election workers, property taxes and insurance for fertility treatments on the Nov. 5 ballot.

That’s it. The ballot is full. Which leaves out a question about parental notification that a group was collecting voters’ signatures to include on the ballot.

While advisory questions don’t directly change laws, the results could impact how lawmakers choose to pursue policies in the future based on documented public opinion. Senate Bill 2412, which was signed into law May 3, filled the three available spots with questions Democratic state lawmakers want answered.

The questions are also seen as an attempt to turn out more Democratic voters in November.

Lawmakers’ questions:

• Election Worker Protection and Candidate Accountability Referendum Act: “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?”

• Property Tax Relief and Fairness Referendum Act: “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?”

• Assisted Reproductive Health Referendum Act: “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?”

Only three nonbinding proposals are allowed on one ballot, meaning voters won’t see any other advisory questions on Nov. 5.  The Parents Matter Coalition was collecting signatures to get advisory questions on the ballot regarding parental rights.

The group’s question would have read: “Shall the written consent from a minor’s parent or guardian be required before any entity, person, clinic or school can provide a minor (under the age of 18 years) any non-emergency medical procedure, medication, pharmaceutical or any gender modification procedure, gender identification counseling or gender therapy?”

Because the three advisory questions from SB 2412 were approved by lawmakers first and state law only allows three statewide advisory questions per election, there will be no other questions on the ballot.