Do You Know About the 2024 Illinois State Advisory Questions on the Ballot?

What is an Advisory Question?

An advisory question is a type of ballot measure that is non-binding, meaning the outcome of the ballot measure has no legal effect on a state's laws. There are various reasons for non-binding questions. Their general purpose is to allow government officials to gauge public opinion on certain policies or subjects or to encourage officials to take certain actions.

Your Opinion Matters

Skipping these questions may be your first response, but that voter needs to be reminded that their opinion matters. When lawmakers ask for input from their constituents, their opinions make a difference. Often laws are introduced based on these results.

Background

Illinois lawmakers put three advisory questions about insurance for fertility treatments, property taxes, and election workers on the Nov. 5 ballot. Only three nonbinding proposals are allowed on one ballot. This leaves out a question about parental notification that We the People of McHenry County and other grassroots groups were collecting voters’ signatures to include on the ballot. The Parents Matter Coalition was collecting signatures to get advisory questions on the ballot regarding parental rights.

The group’s question would have read:

“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?”

Because the three advisory questions from SB 2412 were approved by lawmakers first and state law only allows three statewide advisory questions per election, there will be no other questions on the ballot. It was a tactic used by the Democrats to keep the parental notification question off of the ballot.

What you Need to Know

Early voting has begun for the general election, and the following referendum questions will appear on the ballot for every voter in Illinois. Each question gives a “yes” or “no” option.

The following are the three advisory questions that you are being asked to vote on for this year's General elections.

• Illinois Assisted Reproductive Healthcare Advisory Question

• Illinois Income Tax Advisory Question

• Illinois Penalties for Candidate Interference with Election Worker's Duties Advisory Question

Illinois Assisted Reproductive Healthcare Advisory Question

Should all medically appropriate assisted reproductive treatments, including, but not limited to, in vitro fertilization, be covered by any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides coverage for pregnancy benefits, without limitation on the number of treatments? YES or NO

A “Yes” vote supports requiring private insurance coverage for reproductive treatments, while a “No” vote opposes requiring insurance to pay for the procedure.

CONSIDERATIONS

Illinois Family Institute states, "this question asks voters whether health insurance policies should be required to cover reproductive treatments, including in vitro fertilization, without limitations. Illinois law already requires employers with over 25 employees to provide health insurance policies covering pregnancies to pay for up to six reproductive treatment egg retrievals over a lifetime. Currently, one such treatment costs approximately $50,000. The first ballot question could effectively work to provide a basis to remove current state law exemptions for small business owners with less than 25 employees and those owners with religious beliefs concerning reproductive treatments."

Illinois Income Tax Advisory Question

Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1,000,000 for the purpose of dedicating funds raised to property tax relief? YES or NO

A vote “Yes” would support those making over $1,000,000 paying a higher percentage of their income in state taxes. A vote of “No” opposes higher taxes based on higher incomes.

CONSIDERATIONS

In 2020, Illinoisans were asked whether the Illinois Constitution should be amended to remove the state’s so-called “Flat Tax” rate and replace it with a “Graduated Income Tax” rate. Illinois voters rejected the idea, and the state continues to tax everyone at the same rate without considering income levels.

Analysis from the Illinois Policy Institute shows a 3% “millionaire” tax would fail to raise the minimum necessary revenue of at least $4.5 billion to begin to address Illinois’ pension crisis – the source of the state property tax woes.

Much like the progressive income tax constitutional amendment Illinois voters rejected in 2020, a tax increase on a state’s wealthiest residents would ultimately raise the tax burden on people who earn far less than $1 million annually.

Illinois Penalties for Candidate Interference with Election Worker's Duties Advisory Question

Should any candidate appearing on the Illinois ballot for federal, State, or local office be subject to civil penalties if the candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with an election worker’s official duties? YES or NO

A “Yes” vote would allow civil penalties for election interference, while a “No” vote would reject them.

CONSIDERATIONS

Illinois Family Institute states, "A candidate interfering with an election worker’s official duties could face civil penalties if Illinois voters support this referendum and state lawmakers use that support to bolster a change in state election laws. In civil law, the losing party has to reimburse the plaintiff the amount of loss determined by the judge. In 2024, Democrat state Rep. Kevin Olickal introduced HB 4827, which calls for criminal penalties for election interference. The bill remains in the House Rules Committee pending action. In criminal law, a person found guilty is punished by incarceration in prison, a fine, or other penalties."

If you have questions, please contact us at algtwpgop@gmail.com.

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