SPRINGFIELD – An expanded vote by mail program signed into law today will ensure Illinoisans can exercise their right to vote without compromising their health and safety, State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Tinley Park) said.

“Though the state of Illinois has made tremendous strides in flattening the curve, it is not realistic to expect everyone will be comfortable with going to the polls this November,” Hastings said. “We had to take the health and safety of our people into account, and I feel we arrived at a commonsense solution to expand access to the ballot box.”

Under Senate Bill 1863 any person who has voted in the past two years — in the 2018 General Election, 2019 Consolidated Election or 2020 Primary Election — would receive an application for a vote-by-mail ballot in their mailbox. It can then be filled out and mailed to your election commission, or there will be instructions for making the request electronically.

Voters will also retain the choice to vote in person via early voting or on Election Day, which would be a state holiday for 2020.

“Those who feel comfortable voting in person should absolutely do so,” Hastings said. “The point of this legislation is to simply ensure no one feels pressured into unnecessarily putting their personal health and safety at risk.”

This legislation is effective immediately.

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is applauding an expansion to the state’s vote-by-mail program becoming law after Gov. JB Pritzker signed it Tuesday.

“Since everyone deserves the right to be healthy, it’s critical that we figure out a way to help people stay healthy while they exercise their right to participate in the democratic process,” Peters said. “Voting by mail is a safe, convenient way for folks to have their voices heard without having to worry about contracting COVID-19.”

The vote-by-mail expansion is part of a larger election package legislators passed in May to address specific concerns regarding voting during a global pandemic. Under the new law, local election authorities must automatically send vote-by-mail applications to everyone under their jurisdiction who voted in the 2018 general, 2019 consolidated, or 2020 primary elections, or who registered to vote after the 2020 primary.

“Many people don’t realize they even have the option to vote by mail, so automatically sending applications will help give people who are worried about getting sick while voting some peace of mind,” Peters said.

The law is effectively immediately and applies only to the 2020 General Election.

DEERFIELD — Illinoisans across the state will receive an application in their mailbox to vote from the comfort and safety of their home, thanks to a measure spearheaded by State Senator Julie Morrison.

“If you’re eligible to vote, you should be able to do so safely and securely. No one should have to worry about jeopardizing their health to practice their civic duty,” Morrison said. “It is vital that no eligible voter — regardless of age or health — end up disenfranchised by the current health crisis.”

Morrison (D-Lake Forest) successfully passed an elections package which, among other things, expands the state’s vote by mail program for the November 2020 election, amid concerns COVID-19 could discourage people from visiting the polls.

Any person who has voted in the past two years —in the 2018 General Election, 2019 Consolidated Election or 2020 Primary Election — will receive an application for a vote-by-mail ballot in their mailbox for the 2020 General Election.

People who registered to vote after the 2020 Primary Election will also receive an application.

Election authorities are expected to mail out applications no later than Aug. 1, so people can expect their applications in early August. They can also expect to receive periodic reminders form the secretary of state’s office to submit their application.

However, people who aren’t automatically sent an application will still have the chance to apply for a ballot via the State Board of Elections’ website.

“More voters will be able to participate in a very important aspect of their citizenry — their right to vote — because we have a plan in place to allow them to do so safely,” Morrison said. “We must be prepared, because we don’t know how safe it will be for people to be this fall.”

This does not preclude in-person voting opportunities on and before Election Day.

The measure also makes Election Day, November 3, a state holiday.

Senate Bill 1863 was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker Tuesday and took immediate effect.

CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) celebrated a historic election package that expands the state’s vote by mail program for the 2020 General Election.

“Access to the ballot is a fundamental right,” Villanueva said. “Expanding vote by mail will allow voters to participate in our democracy while taking necessary precautions during this public health crisis.”

Senate Bill 1863 will send anyone who voted in the past two years an application to vote by mail. Voters who aren’t sent an application will be able to apply to vote by mail online. Election Day of this year will also be made a state holiday so schools can be used as polling places without putting students at increased risk for COVID-19. All provisions in this legislation apply to the 2020 General Election only.

“I am confident that this pilot program will show how safe and efficient voting by mail is,” Villanueva said. “I look forward to making this expansion a permanent part of how we vote in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 1863 was signed into law on Tuesday and is effective immediately.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Voters can now safely cast their ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to a new elections package supported by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) that was signed into law.

“All citizens have a right to participate in our democracy without fear,” Gillespie said. “Given the public health challenges we face, expanding our vote by mail program will allow citizens to exercise their democratic rights without compromising their health.”

Senate Bill 1863 will expand the state’s vote by mail program by sending any person who voted in the past two years an application for a ballot in their mailbox. Voters who aren’t sent an application in the mail will have the opportunity to register to vote by mail online. Election Day of this year will also be made a state holiday so schools can be used as polling places without putting students at increased risk for COVID-19. All provisions in this legislation apply to the 2020 General Election only.

Senate Bill 1863 was signed into law on Tuesday and is effective immediately.

CHICAGO – State Senator Robert Martwick (D-Chicago), along with the Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White, wants to announce the 16th annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award.

“This competition is a great way for the talented residents of Illinois to show off their work,” Martwick said. “These artists work hard to create thoughtful and beautiful work, and Illinois would like to help give them recognition and publicity.”

The competition is named in honor of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning Illinois Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks and is co-sponsored by the Illinois Center for the Book. The competition to recognize new literary talent in the state is open to Illinois residents age 18 and older and has an entry deadline of June 30. To submit an entry, please visit the link here.

The award for first place is $500, second place is $300 and third place is $100. Winning poems will also be submitted for possible publication in Illinois literary magazines, including “Ninth Letter,” “Quiddity” and “RHINO Poetry.”

For more information, contact Illinois Center for the Book Coordinator Bonnie Matheis at 217-558-2065 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) is calling on healthy, eligible African-Americans in Illinois to help replenish the state’s blood supply, which is declining rapidly due to blood drive cancellations at businesses, churches and schools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

African-American blood donors are particularly needed to help patients battling sickle cell disease amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Sickle cell patients are at high risk of serious complications from coronavirus infection.

“For the black community, this is another layer to our public health emergency. Sickle cell disease tends to affect African-American communities, which are disproportionately suffering from COVID-19 and already lack equal access to preventative health care and treatment,” Hunter said. “Even one donation could save the life of someone in our community.”

Red Cross blood centers have seen donations by African-Americans drop by more than 50% since the novel coronavirus outbreak began in March. Patients with sickle cell disease depend on transfusions from donors with closely matched blood – beyond the A, B, O and AB types – to reduce the risk of complications. According to the American Red Cross, each donation center is required to follow the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance.

“This is a matter of life or death for patients with sickle cell disease and those who rely on transfusions to make it through surgery,” Hunter said. “Now is the time to support our neighbors. I strongly encourage all healthy, able Chicagoans to step up and help fill this void.”

Many blood centers throughout the state have extended their operating hours to meet the critical need for donations. To make an appointment to donate blood with the Red Cross, residents can visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-733-2767.

CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) joins Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White to announce the 16th annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award.

“This is a great opportunity for talented writers to showcase their creative writing,” Bennett said. “Winning can bring emerging poets recognition and generate valuable publicity.”

The competition is named in honor of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning Illinois Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks and is co-sponsored by the Illinois Center for the Book. The competition to recognize new literary talent in the state is open to Illinois residents age 18 and older and has an entry deadline of June 30. To submit an entry, please visit the link here.

The award for first place is $500, second place is $300 and third place is $100. Winning poems will also be submitted for possible publication in Illinois literary magazines, including: “Ninth Letter,” “Quiddity” and “RHINO Poetry.”

For more information, contact Illinois Center for the Book Coordinator Bonnie Matheis at 217-558-2065 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..