New laws expand voting rights for Illinois prisoners

Gov. Pritzker signed new legislation Wednesday that expands voting rights for current and past prisoners in Illinois.

​ requires county jails and local election officials to establish a process that allows detainees awaiting trial to cast their ballots during elections.

Under the new law, jails will provide voter registration application services and detailed information to detainees about their voting rights.

​ will provide a non-partisan civics peer education program for citizens discharged from custody within one year. The program consists of three 90-minutes sessions on the voting process, government and current affairs.

“It’s a new day in Illinois, one where we not only recognize the sanctity of the vote but commit to doing everything we can to invite everyone who is eligible to fully participate," says Gov. Pritzker. "In Illinois, we understand that every vote matters and every vote counts."

SB 2090 takes effect immediately, while HB 2541 takes effect Jan. 1, 2020.