Grundy Reporter

State Senator Steve McClure is introducing new legislation aimed at safeguarding the integrity of elections in Illinois. This move follows concerns raised about voter registration forms being sent to noncitizens, potentially leading to voter fraud.

An immigrant rights advocate informed Senator McClure that the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) includes voter registration forms in packets sent to noncitizens applying for state aid. These packets are addressed to local county clerks' offices, and an electronic version is available on the DHS website.

Concerns have been expressed that noncitizen recipients may feel compelled to complete all forms in these packets, despite potential language barriers that could lead to incorrect voting applications.

Compounding the issue, recent legislation signed by Governor Pritzker allows noncitizens, including those here illegally, to receive driver's licenses identical to those issued to citizens. Previously, such licenses were marked if issued to noncitizens. County clerks now lack a means of verifying citizenship based on driver's licenses alone.

A law passed in 2017 permits DHS to use aid applications for dual purposes, including voter registration. However, this law requires DHS to verify voting eligibility before forwarding applications to election officials. It does not authorize sending paper applications directly from applicants to county clerks who cannot verify citizenship status.

The new legislation proposes requiring the Illinois Secretary of State’s office to establish a database listing all noncitizens with Illinois driver's licenses. This measure aims to enable county clerks to confirm the citizenship of voting applicants.

Senator McClure emphasizes that if noncitizens register and vote unlawfully, it not only jeopardizes election legitimacy but also constitutes a crime that could hinder their path to citizenship.