Ahead of Federal Voting Rights Act Anniversary, Coalition Urges Illinois Lawmakers to Pass a Modern State Voting Rights Act
For Immediate Release:
Aug. 5, 2026
Contact:
Zindy Marquez, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
zmarquez@clccrul.org | (312) 202-3657
**Media Interviews Available Upon Request**
Ahead of Federal Voting Rights Act Anniversary, Coalition Urges Illinois Lawmakers to Pass a Modern State Voting Rights Act
This legislation will strengthen state-level protections against voter discrimination and ensure fair representation across Illinois
SPRINGFIELD, IL – As the country marks the 61st anniversary of the federal Voting Rights Act on August 6, the Illinois Voting Rights Act Coalition is calling on the Illinois General Assembly to pass a new voting rights law, the Illinois Voting Rights Act (SB 3170). This legislation would strengthen voting protections at the state level for voters of color and voters with limited English proficiency. Federal voting rights protections have been rolled back at an alarming rate and Illinois must step up to enact protections at the state level that respond to these critical threats.
This anniversary comes just months after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which gutted Section 2 of the federal Voting Rights Act in all but name – making it significantly more challenging for communities of color to challenge racial discrimination in voting. Since this decision, several states have already begun to eliminate fair districts that provided meaningful representation for Black voters and other voters of color.
“Even 61 years after the Voting Rights Act became law, we are still hearing from voters every election cycle about the various barriers they have run into that have nothing to do with their eligibility – language access, confusing polling place changes, the inability to elect candidates of their choice,” said Recie Wilson with the Lugenia Burns Hope Center and the Campaign Director. “This isn’t a problem of the past – it’s happening in Illinois right now. Our communities need a new State Voting Rights Act that would protect eligible voters from discrimination and unfair representation.”
“This is a hard anniversary after the Supreme Court’s decision in Callais stripped away one of its most powerful protections. Voters of color are once again fighting for a fair chance to participate in our democracy,” said Christina Beeler, Senior Counsel with Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights. “State Voting Rights Acts remain a critical path forward for protecting voters of color and ensuring fair representation. Illinois lawmakers have the power to meet the moment and pass a modern voting rights act to prevent and guard against discriminatory voting practices.”
“It may be hard to believe, but this is an issue in the State of Illinois,” said DuShaun Branch, Interim Executive Director of CHANGE Illinois. “We must join states like California, Colorado, Virginia, and others to ensure that all voters in Illinois have their voices heard and their votes counted. Additionally, we must carry on the work of many brave individuals, such as Congressmen John Lewis, Diane Nash, Ella Baker, and countless others, to uphold the foundations they established.”
“Our community knows firsthand what it costs when the right to vote isn't fully protected. The Supreme Court's decision in Callais makes that fight harder at the federal level, but it doesn't end our ability to protect voters here in Illinois,” said Robin Carey-Boyd, President of the NAACP East St. Louis Branch. “We are calling on state lawmakers to pass SB 3170 and make sure that every voter across the state has a real, protected right to vote and elect leaders who represent them."
The Illinois Voting Rights Act (SB 3170) would expand and strengthen voting protections by:
Ensuring elections in Illinois are fair and accessible to everyone.
Protecting Illinois voters against further weakening of federal voting protections.
Strengthening legal tools to combat voter suppression.
Creating stronger protections against unfair districts or election systems that prevent Black, Brown, or Asian American voters from having a real chance to elect the candidates they prefer.
Expanding language access requirements for voters with limited English proficiency so that every eligible voter can cast a ballot.
Illinois would join eleven other states — California, Washington, Oregon, New York, Virginia, Connecticut, Minnesota, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey — that have already enacted their own State Voting Rights Acts that protect voters consistent with the original purpose of the federal Voting Rights Act.
For more information about the Illinois Voting Rights Act (SB 3170), click here.
###
Illinois Voting Rights Coalition
The Illinois Voting Rights Act (SB 3170) is supported by a broad, nonpartisan coalition of civil rights, voting rights, disability justice, faith-based, and community organizations across Illinois: Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights; Lugenia Burns Hope Center; CHANGE Illinois; NAACP East St. Louis Branch; Access Living; Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community; Common Cause; Faith Coalition for the Common Good; HANA Center; Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative; NAACP Chicago Far-South Suburban Branch; Northside Action for Justice; People Matter; South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI); Westside Rising.
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group of civil rights lawyers and advocates working to secure racial equity and economic opportunity for all. We provide legal representation through partnerships with the private bar, and we collaborate with grassroots organizations and other advocacy groups to implement community-based solutions that advance civil rights. For more information, visit www.clccrul.org.