Reintegration & Civic Empowerment Act

Expanding Civic Engagement For All

The Reintegration and Civic Empowerment (RACE) Act is proposed Illinois legislation that would restore voting rights to people while they are incarcerated and expand civic education inside prisons. If passed, Illinois would join Maine, Vermont, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico in allowing people in prison to vote.

Senate Bill 2983 · House Bill 5414

Why it matters

Nearly 30,000 Illinoisans serving felony sentences cannot vote in this election, meaning tens of thousands of people with community ties are excluded from decisions that affect their lives.

Strengthens communities and democracy:

Civic engagement helps people stay connected to their communities, reduces recidivism, and promotes fairer representation.

Equity and fairness:

Current laws disproportionately disenfranchise Black communities and other communities of color, continuing a legacy of Jim Crow-era policies that sought to strip Black Americans of their voting power after the Civil War Amendments granted them citizenship and the right to vote.

FAQ’S

Why should people in prison vote?

Restoring voting rights doesn’t reward wrongdoing. It strengthens society by helping people reintegrate and engage responsibly in their communities.

How does this help communities?

Civic education and voting access gives incarcerated people a connection to their communities, reducing recidivism and improving reintegration.

Why should I care?

Voting rights shape who has a voice in your community and the policies that affect schools, public safety, healthcare, and jobs. When tens of thousands of Illinoisans are excluded from voting, it weakens representation for everyone. Stronger civic engagement = safer, healthier communities for everyone.

What does it mean that a bill is in the state legislature?

When a bill is in the Illinois State Legislature, it means elected officials in Springfield, the state capital, are reviewing it to decide if it should become law. Bills start in one of two chambers: the House of Representatives or the Senate. That’s why bills have names like HB (House Bill) or SB (Senate Bill), which show where the bill originated.

Both chambers must vote to approve a bill before it goes to the governor, who can sign it into law or veto it. Being in the legislature doesn’t mean a bill is law yet, but it’s an important stage where citizens can learn about the bill, contact their representatives, and advocate for change.

How to take action

Talk about it: Share why equitable voting rights matter with friends and family.

Reach out: Contact your state rep/senator insisting they support the RACE Act.

Join the movement: Chicago Votes manages the Unlock Civics Coalition, a network of over 80 organizations from across Illinois and nationally dedicated to ending felony disenfranchisement. Visit our website to learn more and sign up for our Day of Advocacy on April 16th.

Index

Sometimes you gotta pop out & vote!

Voter information lookup

View your voter information, sample ballot, AND locate your precinct polling place for Election Day.

Chicago board of elections contact information

69 West Washington Street
Suites 600/800
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 269-7900
cboe@chicagoelections.gov

Election day is Tuesday, March 17th!