News Local/State

Illinoisans Approve Series Of Ballot Questions

 

In addition to choosing a new governor, Illinois voters approved several ballot questions, including two changes to the state’s constitution.

Voters faced a total of five ballot questions this election.

One of the constitutional amendments will beef up protections for crime victims.

The state’s constitution already includes rights for victims, but the new amendment will give them recourse if they think their rights are not being enforced.

The other new amendment adds protection for voters from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, language and income.

Voters also favored increasing the state’s minimum wage, requiring employers to offer insurance coverage for birth control if they provide insurance that covers prescription medication and an additional tax on personal income over $1 million.

While the questions are nonbinding, voters’ approval could help backers gain support in the legislature for these changes.