* Press release…

Yesterday, Governor JB Pritzker signed the following bill, which was filed today:

Bill Number: SB2412

Description: Amends the Elections Code. Places three statewide advisory questions on the ballot for the November 5, 2024 general election. Makes changes to the deadline for filing candidate nomination petitions. Makes other changes to the Elections Code governing the filling of vacancies in nomination for legislative offices.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

* Here’s some background from the Tribune…

A comprehensive election bill that gained final approval by the Democratic-led Illinois legislature on Thursday would give Democrats a significant advantage toward keeping their legislative majorities before any votes are even cast in the Nov. 5 general election. […]

But the election bill given final approval by Senate Democrats Thursday on a 35-3 vote, with 18 Republicans voting “present” in protest, would further help Democrats maintain control in the next General Assembly.

Under the measure, local political party organizations could no longer appoint candidates to fill out legislative ballots where the party did not field a primary candidate. Current law allows the appointment process within 75 days of the primary.

Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker said that while he had not seen all the details of the measure, he considered it an “ethics” bill.

* And more from Capitol News Illinois…

Privately, GOP lawmakers said they believe the proposed change is designed to influence the outcome of one particular race this year – the 112th House District in the Metro East area, where incumbent Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is running for reelection.

No Republican filed to run in that race in time for the March 19 primary, but party officials say one is currently being lined up.

Republicans believe that district is winnable for them. Stuart won reelection to that seat in 2022 by a 54-46 margin over Republican Jennifer Korte. […]

The measure would also pose three nonbinding advisory referendum questions to voters on the November ballot, including asking whether health insurance plans that cover pregnancy benefits should be required to cover in vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments.