Springfield, Illinois—Two pieces of legislation that could potentially reform the way Illinois elections are held have moved from the Senate Committee on Assignments to the Senate Executive Committee. State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) is the sponsor of Senate bill 3155 and Senate bill 3135.

Senate bill 3155 seeks to change the date of the Illinois primary election. Currently election law states that the Illinois primary is the first Tuesday in February. Under Righter’s legislation the primary election would be held the third Tuesday in March.

“Pushing back the primary date to the third Tuesday in March would have two main advantages: cutting down the high costs of elections, and creating a shorter general election period so citizens won’t be bombarded with as many unwanted political calls and mailings,” explained Righter. 

Senate bill 3135 also moved to the Senate Executive Committee this week. The legislation would ensure that if a candidates’ campaign calls someone on the “Do Not Call” list, the campaign from which the call originated would face a fine. Currently candidates running for public office are excluded from the Illinois “Do Not Call” list which is a voluntary list that keeps groups like telemarketers from calling.

“Both pieces of election reform legislation that I am sponsoring seek to make positive changes to the current election process by keeping voters at the center of the issue,” stated Righter. “I look forward to both pieces of legislation making it through committee to return to the Senate for a full vote.”

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