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Bill

HB 2797

Relating to the Port of Morrow.

2025 Regular Session

Illinois HB 2797 lets election authorities cut precinct judges from five to three, preserves party balance (max two from one party) and updates rules for staffing and costs.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 2797

Summary — HB 2797 (Election Code: reduce precinct judges)

Status: Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee
Introduced: February 2025
Primary sponsors: Rep. Maurice A. West, II (IL); (document also lists Matt Gress — see note below)
Subject: Election Code amendments to allow reducing number of judges of election per precinct

Purpose / Intent

To amend the Illinois Election Code to allow an election authority to reduce the required number of judges of election in each precinct from five to three. The change is intended to provide flexibility for local election administration (staffing, cost, and operational considerations) while preserving political‑party representation among judges.

Key provisions

  • Amends the Election Code (10 ILCS 5) by changing Sections 13‑1, 13‑2, 14‑1, and 14‑3.1.
  • Authorizes an election authority to reduce the number of judges of election in each precinct to three judges in lieu of the five judges currently required.
  • Retains provisions governing appointment, qualifications, party balance, and tenure of judges; makes conforming adjustments where necessary:
    • If only three judges serve in a precinct, no more than two judges may be from the same political party.
    • Party entitlement to two vs. one judge is determined using the same county central committee nomination/ certified‑list procedures already used for five‑judge precincts.
  • Preserves related structures such as special panels of judges and tally judge procedures where applicable (e.g., precincts with large numbers of voters).
  • Makes conforming language changes across cited statutory sections.

Who would be affected

  • County and municipal election authorities (gain discretion to set three‑judge precinct panels).
  • Judges of election (potentially fewer positions; adjusted appointment/party allocation rules).
  • County central committees and political parties (must continue to provide certified lists; party representation rules apply).
  • Voters and local election operations (possible effects on in‑precinct staffing levels, check‑in and vote counting processes).

Procedural timeline / status (select)

  • Filed/introduced in early February 2025.
  • Referred to committees and considered in hearings in March–April 2025; committee substitute reported favorably (April 10, 2025).
  • Considered in Calendars (May 9, 2025).
  • Status shown as Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee (March 21, 2025 entry).

Companion bill: SB 1567.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Administrative flexibility: Easier staffing and potential cost savings for jurisdictions with recruiting challenges.
  • Operational risk: Fewer judges per precinct could increase workload for those judges (longer lines, slower processing), particularly at high‑turnout elections unless offset by additional temporary staff, efficient processes, or voting technology.
  • Party representation: The bill preserves party balance rules (max two judges of same party in three‑judge precincts) — a key compliance and fairness safeguard.
  • Implementation will require local election authorities to update appointment procedures and communications with county central committees.

Note on document content

The materials provided include text from two distinct bills both numbered HB 2797 in different states: (1) an Illinois bill amending the Election Code (described above) and (2) an unrelated Arizona bill titled “Erin’s Law” establishing a statewide child sexual abuse awareness/prevention program for public schools. This summary focuses on the Illinois Election Code change (title: ELEC CD‑REDUCE PRECINCT JUDGES) as requested. If you want a separate summary of the Arizona “Erin’s Law” text included in the packet, I can prepare that.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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