Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:
Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.
For more information about the legislative process, see here.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 1, 2022 | IL | HB 1095 | Amends Previously Passed Criminal Justice Reforms Known as the SAFE-T Act | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17) |
| Dec. 1, 2022 | IL | HB 4218 | Requires Free Underwear and Menstrual Hygiene Products for Prisoners | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 0) |
| April 8, 2022 | IL | HB 4667 | Amends Requirements to be Considered a Qualified Law Enforcement Officer | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 6) |
| April 8, 2022 | IL | HB 4383 | Prohibits the Sale and Possession of "Ghost Guns" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 36) |
| April 8, 2022 | IL | HB 4383 | Prohibits the Sale and Possession of "Ghost Guns" | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 19) |
| April 7, 2022 | IL | HB 716 | Establishes Violence Reduction Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18) |
| March 31, 2022 | IL | SB 3490 | Expands Protections for LGBTQ Seniors | (71 - 32) |
| March 31, 2022 | IL | HR 789 | Establishes Resolution Supporting Reproductive Rights | Bill Passed - House (68 - 38) |
| March 3, 2022 | IL | HB 4850 | Amends Law Regarding Workplace Violence; Establishes Employer Liability | Bill Passed - House (69 - 39) |
| Feb. 25, 2022 | IL | SB 3120 | Establishes Family Bereavement Leave | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 11) |
| Feb. 24, 2022 | IL | SB 3932 | Requires FBI Notification if Human Remains are Unidentified After 72 Hours | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 4) |
| Feb. 23, 2022 | IL | SB 3490 | Expands Protections for LGBTQ Seniors | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 9) |
| Jan. 5, 2022 | IL | HB 3512 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 42) |
| Oct. 28, 2021 | IL | HB 3512 | Amends Criminal Justice Law | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 17) |
| Oct. 27, 2021 | IL | HB 370 | Repeals the Parental Notice of Abortion Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 51) |
| Oct. 26, 2021 | IL | HB 370 | Repeals the Parental Notice of Abortion Act | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 22) |
| May 31, 2021 | IL | HB 3914 | Requires State Agencies take Action to Combat Discrimination Against Employees in a Protected Class | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 36) |
| May 31, 2021 | IL | SB 667 | Prohibits Cities and Counties from Entering Into Contracts With ICE | Bill Passed - House (68 - 47) |
| May 31, 2021 | IL | SB 667 | Prohibits Cities and Counties from Entering Into Contracts With ICE | Bill Passed - House (68 - 47) |
| May 30, 2021 | IL | SB 817 | Prohibits School Discrimination Against Certain Hairstyles | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (41 - 12) |
| May 28, 2021 | IL | SB 667 | Prohibits Cities and Counties from Entering Into Contracts With ICE | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19) |
| May 28, 2021 | IL | SB 667 | Prohibits Cities and Counties from Entering Into Contracts With ICE | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19) |
| May 27, 2021 | IL | SB 817 | Prohibits School Discrimination Against Certain Hairstyles | Bill Passed - House (89 - 22) |
| May 12, 2021 | IL | HB 1092 | Establishes Restraining Orders for Firearms | Bill Passed - House (69 - 43) |
| April 22, 2021 | IL | HB 2542 | Authorizes Individuals to Change Their Names on Various Acts Regarding Criminal Code | Bill Passed - House (85 - 27) |
| April 22, 2021 | IL | HB 3195 | Amends the Equitable Restrooms Act to Create All-Gender Restrooms | Bill Passed - House (63 - 43) |
| April 22, 2021 | IL | HB 1064 | Authorizes a Person Who Was Convicted Under the Age of 21 for First Degree Murder to be Released for Parole After 40 Years | Bill Passed - House (66 - 47) |
| April 16, 2021 | IL | HB 25 | Establishes the Right to Counsel for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (82 - 25) |
| April 14, 2021 | IL | HB 1711 | Prohibits Puppy Mills | Bill Passed - House (76 - 24) |
| March 25, 2021 | IL | HB 158 | Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16) |
| March 18, 2021 | IL | HB 158 | Reduces Racial Disparities in Medical Care | Bill Passed - House (72 - 41) |
| Jan. 13, 2021 | IL | HB 3653 | Prohibits Cash Bail Among Various Other Criminal Justice Reforms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 50) |
| Jan. 12, 2021 | IL | SB 1608 | Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 15) |
| Jan. 12, 2021 | IL | HB 3653 | Prohibits Cash Bail Among Various Other Criminal Justice Reforms | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 23) |
| Jan. 11, 2021 | IL | SB 1608 | Establishes New Commissions to Impose Racial Diversity Requirements | Bill Passed - House (70 - 39) |
| May 23, 2020 | IL | SB 516 | Amends Tax Structure for Chicago Casino | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 14) |
| May 23, 2020 | IL | SB 516 | Amends Tax Structure for Chicago Casino | Bill Passed - House (77 - 32) |
| Nov. 13, 2019 | IL | SB 667 | Limits the Cost of Insulin to $100 per 30-day Supply | Bill Passed - House (100 - 13) |
| Oct. 30, 2019 | IL | HB 3904 | Authorizes Student Athletes to Receive Compensation for Use of Their Name, Image, or Likeness | Bill Passed - House (86 - 25) |
| Oct. 29, 2019 | IL | SB 1786 | Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets | Bill Passed - House (88 - 27) |
| Oct. 29, 2019 | IL | SB 667 | Limits the Cost of Insulin to $100 per 30-day Supply | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 7) |
| June 1, 2019 | IL | SB 690 | Expands the Number of Casinos Permitted in Illinois | Bill Passed - House (87 - 27) |
| May 30, 2019 | IL | HB 3606 | Authorizes Parental Privacy Rights for Student Data Collection | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 22) |
| May 30, 2019 | IL | SB 1609 | Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
| May 30, 2019 | IL | HB 94 | Establishes Specific Rehabilitation Classes as a Means of Reducing Prison Sentences | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 52) |
| May 30, 2019 | IL | HB 3394 | Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16) |
| May 30, 2019 | IL | HB 1637 | Establishes the Keep Illinois Families Together Act | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 19) |
| May 29, 2019 | IL | HB 3534 | Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16) |
| May 29, 2019 | IL | HB 3534 | Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 16) |
| May 29, 2019 | IL | HB 834 | Requires Equal Pay | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 19) |
| May 28, 2019 | IL | SB 1609 | Authorizes Incarcerated Persons on Bailable Offenses to Receive a Credit | Bill Passed - House (62 - 52) |
| May 28, 2019 | IL | SB 2090 | Expands Access to Voting in Jails | Bill Passed - House (69 - 45) |
| May 28, 2019 | IL | SB 2090 | Expands Access to Voting in Jails | Bill Passed - House (69 - 45) |
| May 27, 2019 | IL | HB 1637 | Establishes the Keep Illinois Families Together Act | Bill Passed - House (67 - 50) |
| May 24, 2019 | IL | HB 94 | Establishes Specific Rehabilitation Classes as a Means of Reducing Prison Sentences | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| May 23, 2019 | IL | HB 3606 | Authorizes Parental Privacy Rights for Student Data Collection | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17) |
| May 23, 2019 | IL | SB 1610 | Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations | Bill Passed - House (84 - 32) |
| May 23, 2019 | IL | HB 246 | Requires Public Schools to Teach about Prominent LGBTQ Figures | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| May 23, 2019 | IL | SB 1610 | Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations | Bill Passed - House (84 - 32) |
| May 22, 2019 | IL | HB 834 | Requires Equal Pay | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 14) |
| May 21, 2019 | IL | SB 241 | Prohibits Use of Animal Testing on Manufacturer Products Sold in the State | Bill Passed - House (85 - 25) |
| May 21, 2019 | IL | HB 1613 | Requires Police Keep Racial Profiling Records | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| May 21, 2019 | IL | HB 2670 | Expands Definition of "Mitigating Factors" | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 18) |
| May 21, 2019 | IL | HB 1613 | Requires Police Keep Racial Profiling Records | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18) |
| May 16, 2019 | IL | HB 2040 | Prohibits Private Prisons and Civil Detention Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| May 16, 2019 | IL | HB 2040 | Prohibits Private Prisons and Civil Detention Centers | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 14) |
| May 8, 2019 | IL | HB 2691 | Authorizes Tuition Assistance to Transgender and Undocumented Immigrant Students | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| May 8, 2019 | IL | HB 2691 | Authorizes Tuition Assistance to Transgender and Undocumented Immigrant Students | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| May 1, 2019 | IL | SB 690 | Expands the Number of Casinos Permitted in Illinois | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 18) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 2670 | Expands Definition of "Mitigating Factors" | Bill Passed - House (69 - 42) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1873 | Increases Fines for Drivers Who Pass School Buses | Bill Passed - House (74 - 16) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1633 | Prohibits Infrastructure-Related Protests | Bill Passed - House (77 - 28) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 2691 | Authorizes Tuition Assistance to Transgender and Undocumented Immigrant Students | Bill Passed - House (66 - 47) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1690 | Amends Criminal Record Expungement Law | Bill Passed - House (69 - 36) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 2244 | Amends Conditions of Parole | Bill Passed - House (62 - 51) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1115 | Eliminates Electronic Monitoring for People Who Have Completed Their State Prison Sentences | Bill Passed - House (62 - 49) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1613 | Requires Police Keep Racial Profiling Records | Bill Passed - House (75 - 35) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1613 | Requires Police Keep Racial Profiling Records | Bill Passed - House (75 - 35) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 2691 | Authorizes Tuition Assistance to Transgender and Undocumented Immigrant Students | Bill Passed - House (66 - 47) |
| April 11, 2019 | IL | HB 1587 | Amends Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Rules | Bill Passed - House (61 - 48) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | HB 3534 | Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs | Bill Passed - House (67 - 38) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | HB 3534 | Establishes a Non-Binary Gender Option on IDs | Bill Passed - House (67 - 38) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | HB 2040 | Prohibits Private Prisons and Civil Detention Centers | Bill Passed - House (85 - 26) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | HB 2040 | Prohibits Private Prisons and Civil Detention Centers | Bill Passed - House (85 - 26) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | SB 2090 | Expands Access to Voting in Jails | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| April 10, 2019 | IL | SB 2090 | Expands Access to Voting in Jails | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17) |
| April 4, 2019 | IL | HB 1653 | Increases Penalties for Employers Who Commit Wage Theft | Bill Passed - House (69 - 43) |
| March 29, 2019 | IL | HB 3394 | Requires Women and African Americans on Corporate Boards | Bill Passed - House (61 - 27) |
| March 28, 2019 | IL | HB 836 | Authorizes Temporary Guardians for Children Whose Parents Have Been Detained or Deported by ICE | Bill Passed - House (89 - 19) |
| March 28, 2019 | IL | SB 1786 | Prohibits License Suspension for Unpaid Parking Tickets | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10) |
| March 28, 2019 | IL | HB 1553 | Authorizes Certain Kinds of Visas for Undocumented Children that are Victims of Abuse, Neglect, or Abandonment | Bill Passed - House (87 - 18) |
| March 13, 2019 | IL | HB 246 | Requires Public Schools to Teach about Prominent LGBTQ Figures | Bill Passed - House (60 - 42) |
| March 6, 2019 | IL | SB 1610 | Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14) |
| March 6, 2019 | IL | SB 1610 | Amends Immigrant Deportation Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 14) |
| Nov. 27, 2018 | IL | SB 3136 | Authorizes More Discretion by the State Police in Positive Cannabis Testing Terminations | Veto Override Passed - House (86 - 24) |
| May 31, 2018 | IL | SB 336 | Establishes the Alternatives to Opioids Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (72 - 38) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 337 | Amends Gun Dealer Licensing Rules | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 2562 | Authorizes Police Drone Surveillance | Bill Passed - House (74 - 35) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 3256 | Requires 72 Hour Waiting Period for Guns | Bill Passed - House (72 - 44) |
| May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 2560 | Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act | Bill Passed - House (66 - 50) |