Illinois HB 5579: LOCAL REFERENDUM NEUTRALITY

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 
State of Illinois 
2025 and 2026
HB5579

Introduced 2/13/2026, by Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

5 ILCS 430/5-15.5 new

 Creates the Local Referendum Neutrality and Taxpayer Protection Act. Provides that a public body may only expend public funds related to a local referendum for specified purposes. Provides for the designation of an official committee in favor and the official committee opposed to the local referendum. Provides for the preparation of arguments in favor of or in opposition to the local referendum by the committees. Provides that an election authority shall review the arguments and publish the arguments in a voter information package. Sets forth provisions concerning conduct by public employees and public bodies. Amends the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. Provides that activities intended to influence voter support for or opposition to a referendum or potential referendum, when conducted using public funds, public facilities, or employee compensated time, constitute prohibited political activity. Effective immediately.

LRB104 19468 SPS 32916 b

A BILL FOR

HB5579LRB104 19468 SPS 32916 b

1 AN ACT concerning elections.

2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 

3represented in the General Assembly:

4 Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Local 

5Referendum Neutrality and Taxpayer Protection Act.

6 Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Section:

7 "Advocacy" means any communication or activity reasonably 

8designed to influence voter support in favor of or in 

9opposition to a referendum or potential referendum.

10 "Election authority" means the county clerk or board of 

11election commissioners having jurisdiction o