Statewide election referendums beginning to take shape

The November election ballot could include more than just candidates' names.

Several public questions are being weighed throughout the state through proposed constitutional amendments and statewide advisory referendums.

Advisory referendums are non-binding and are typically devised to collect public opinion on an issue. Petitions and referendums would require at least 328,371 signatures from registered voters to move forward to the ballot. Deadlines are May 5 and May 6 respectively.

A constitutional amendment requires either 60% of those voting on the issue or a simple majority of those voting in the election to pass. Voters in 2022 approved the Workers' Rights Amendment by clearing the 50% threshold, codifying a worker's ability to organize and collectively bargain in the state constitution.

Here are a few ballot questions to keep an eye on this election year.

Ethics initiative

Ethics reform, a persistent rallying cry in Springfield, could see action in November through a campaign backed by former Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and state Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria.

The Ethics Initiative Amendment would allow voters to impose stricter ethical standards for state and municipal lawmakers. Almost two years to-the-date of former House Speaker Michael Madigan's indictment on racketeering and bribery charges, Quinn said the time to act is now.

"We've had ten Illinois legislators — former of current — indicted and or convicted for felonies for public corruption," the former governor said during a news conference this week. "Isn't that an alarm to all of us that we roll up our sleeves and do more to clean things up?"

For the initiative to appear on the ballot, the joint resolution would require a three-fifths majority in both chambers of the General Assembly prior to May 5. To do-so, Spain's legislation would need support from Democrats who hold super-majorities in the House and Senate.

Parental consent

An advisory question, asking whether parents should have to grant approval for their children to receive gender-affirming care, could be added to the ballot.

"Shall the written consent from a minor's parent or guardian be required before any entity, person, clinic or school can provide a minor (under the age of 18 years) any non-emergency medical procedure, medication, pharmaceutical, or any gender modification procedure, gender identification counseling or gender therapy?," the question reads.

Advocates were in Springfield last month, collecting signatures and discussing the referendum. The push has the backing of the far-right Illinois Freedom Caucus and former gubernatorial candidate Jeanne Ives.

Another proponent is Illinois House District 96 Republican candidate Dr. Lisa Smith, who will face state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, in November.

"I do not want anyone making health decisions for any of my children without me being involved," she said, previously losing to Scherer in 2022.

Abortion

State statute protects access to abortion in Illinois, however, a future with a Republican-led legislature could reverse those protections. Passage of an amendment would prevent that by codifying abortion into the constitution.

The House Reproductive Health and Dobbs Decision Working Group is engaging in those conversations currently. Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, leads that working group and previously told The State Journal-Register it is unlikely a ballot question will come before voters this year.

She wants the state to take-up an amendment protecting reproductive health care and gender-affirming care, The Chicago Tribune reports, but notes the immediate focus should be on states like Nevada and Virginia that are currently trying to put abortion on the ballot.

Gov. JB Pritzker is supporting efforts in those states through the Think Big America initiative launched and solely funded by the governor last fall.

Return of the graduated income tax?

Republicans have claimed the state will look for the new tax revenues to make up for an expected near-$900 million deficit in the upcoming fiscal year. One way the minority party fears that will be accomplished through a renewed effort for a graduated income tax.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie pointed to support for the initiative among Democrats, failing in the 2020 election, in a recent press conference. Any real likelihood of that initiative advancing the voters is murky at best.

Sen. Rob Martwick, D-Chicago, filed legislation last February that would lower the tax rate to low-income single filers to 4% from 4.95% and raise the rate to 6.95% for individuals earning more than $500,000 per year or for those filing jointly with an annual income above $1 million. That bill has been in the Senate Assignments Committee for more than one year.

The state constitution requires a flat income tax, meaning these proposed changes would need voters' approval of an amendment. Pritzker, who spent millions promoting the "fair tax proposal," has said the proposal is not on his radar.

Contact Patrick M. Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: What does it take to put a question on the ballot in Illinois?