The following can be attributed to Khadine Bennett, Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois:
“No Illinois resident should face the choice between their health and making their voice heard in the 2020 election. Voting is the most fundamental way in which we give voice to our views – it must be protected.
Because of this basic precept, we applaud Governor Pritzker for signing Senate Bill 1863 into law today, and express deep appreciation for the members of the General Assembly who voted to approve the measure. The bill supports our election in 2020, by expanding critical access to early voting and vote by mail. These measures and others will help assure that the election process moves smoothly even if we continue to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. But the new law also supports elections in the future – by standing up a strong public education campaign that should help every Illinois resident understand how they can assure their vote is counted, and by expanding participation as voting judges for 16- and 17-year old Illinoisans. Engaging young people early will make voting a habit for life – building voter participation across future years.
Finally, we welcome making Election Day 2020 a statewide holiday. We hope that all Illinois residents will use it to celebrate our electoral process, and find ways to help those in need get to the polls. We will be a stronger state because of this new law.”
