IL HB5219

Eligible voters attending polling places, ballot drop boxes, or election authorities are granted privilege from civil arrest while traveling to, at, and returning from these locations, including early voting and mail ballot submission.

The protection zone extends to the premises, parking facilities, surrounding sidewalks and streets, and any public way within 200 horizontal feet of the voting location.

Civil arrest is defined as non-criminal arrests, explicitly excluding criminal arrests, arrests for probation/parole violations, or arrests supported by judicial warrants.

Violators are liable for civil damages including actual damages and statutory damages up to $10,000, plus court costs and attorney's fees, if they knew or should have known the arrested person was exercising voting rights.

Election authorities, county boards, and the State Board of Elections are authorized to adopt rules protecting this privilege and are exempt from liability when acting lawfully to maintain safety and order.