A proposed bill bearing the name of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson would require high schools in Illinois to offer a voter registration opportunity for all eligible students graduating from high schools in the state.
State reports say House Bill 4339, also known as the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Act, had 28 co-sponsors, all Democrats, when it cleared the House Ethics and Elections Committee unanimously on March 18th. The lead sponsor of the bill from Chicago says the bill is intended to increase youth voter registration rates. However, some in the GOP said the party is reluctant to add more unfunded mandates to school districts, with one calling the measure “duplicative” since Illinois provides an opportunity for everyone to register to vote when they visit driver’s service facilities in the state for their license. The measure doesn’t provide funding or guidelines for its implementation.
A companion bill in the Senate, Senate Bill 1786, is awaiting a committee vote.