As Black voters face the greatest assault on voting rights since Jim Crow, the Illinois Voting Rights Act (ILVRA) would enact strong protections to ensure Black voters and other voters of color can fully participate in the electoral process free from discrimination. In February 2025, the Illinois Voting Rights Act of 2025 was introduced in the General Assembly.
The Illinois VRA legislation builds upon the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as well as previous legislation passed in Illinois, and adds momentum to State VRAs recently passed in Colorado, Minnesota, New York and Connecticut by incorporating similar or expanded protections.
By codifying anti-discrimination protections into state law, the Illinois VRA will protect voting rights and access to the ballot box for every voter in Illinois, especially in communities of color and among other historically disenfranchised groups. This includes protections for more than 1.3 million eligible Black voters in the state.
Confronts threats to voter participation, access to voting opportunities, or the opportunity or ability to participate in the political process.
Protects against unfair districts or election systems that weaken or drown out people’s voices based on their race.
Instructs state judges to interpret election laws in a pro-voter way whenever reasonably possible.
Expands existing requirements for providing multilingual ballots to voters who don’t speak English proficiently.
Requires good-faith negotiation before lawsuits to fix voting discrimination as efficiently and inexpensively as possible for all parties.
More than a decade ago, the Illinois legislature enacted a statute called the Illinois Voting Rights Act of 2011, but this law does not include any of the key elements above that are being used effectively in other states to protect Black voters. It is time for Illinois to have its own robust and fully effective State Voting Rights Act. The Illinois Voting Rights Act of 2025 will help the state become a leader in protecting the freedom to vote.
Voting Rights
State VRAs can provide key protections to their constituents that prevent and guard against discriminatory voting practices and policies. Learn more about LDF’s work to advance state VRAs.
LDF Original Content
A tandem approach of restoring and expanding federal voting rights legislation along with passing individual state VRAs is essential for providing the most robust voting protections for all voters.
LDF Original Content
How States with discriminatory maps have shirked their responsibilities to their constituents, paving the way for the passage of oppressive legislation.
