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IL HB5579
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/6/2026
Primary Sponsor
Jennifer Sanalitro
Click for details
AI Summary
- Prohibits public bodies from using public funds, facilities, or employee work time to advocate for or against local referendums involving tax increases, levies, or bond issuances
- Limits permitted public expenditures on referendums to neutral explanatory statements, standardized fiscal impact statements, certified ballot language, and distribution of official pro/con arguments
- Establishes a formal process for designating official committees in favor and opposed to referendums, selected based on the number of verified voter endorsements submitted within 30 days of question certification
- Requires election authorities to designate official committees at least 80 days before the election and publish arguments from both sides in a voter information package
- Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act to classify referendum-related advocacy using public resources as prohibited political activity, with potential official misconduct charges for knowing violations
Legislative Description
LOCAL REFERENDUM NEUTRALITY
Last Action
Referred to Rules Committee
2/13/2026
Committee Referrals
Rules2/13/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available