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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31, 2025 | IL | SB 2487 | Establishes Penalties for Businesses that Violate the Human Rights Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 18) |
| May 31, 2025 | IL | SB 2510 | Appropriates $55.2 Billion for the 2026 State Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (34 - 23) |
| May 31, 2025 | IL | HB 3638 | Expands the Workplace Transparency Act to Include Labor-Law Issues | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (93 - 22) |
| May 31, 2025 | IL | SB 1344 | Extends Provisions of the Prevailing Wage Act to Apply to Additional Public Works Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 11) |
| May 31, 2025 | IL | SB 1344 | Extends Provisions of the Prevailing Wage Act to Apply to Additional Public Works Projects | Bill Passed - House (87 - 30) |
| May 31, 2025 | IL | SB 2510 | Appropriates $55.2 Billion for the 2026 State Budget | Bill Passed - House (75 - 41) |
| May 30, 2025 | IL | HB 2488 | Specifies that Prevailing Wages Includes Full Journeyman Annualized Fringe Benefits for Training and Apprenticeship Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 33) |
| May 30, 2025 | IL | HB 3638 | Expands the Workplace Transparency Act to Include Labor-Law Issues | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 2) |
| May 30, 2025 | IL | SB 1976 | Prohibits State Agencies from Revising their Rules in a Way that is Less Stringent in its Protection of Workers' Rights or Safety than the Requirements Established under Federal Law | Bill Passed - House (80 - 32) |
| May 23, 2025 | IL | SB 2487 | Establishes Penalties for Businesses that Violate the Human Rights Act | Bill Passed - House (71 - 35) |
| May 22, 2025 | IL | SB 2164 | Amends Penalties and Processes for Assessing Penalties Under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act | Bill Passed - House (75 - 38) |
| May 22, 2025 | IL | HB 1278 | Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees in any Way if the Employee used Employer-Issued Equipment to Record Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Gender Violence, or any Other Crime of Violence Committed Against the Employee | Bill Passed - Senate (56 - 1) |
| May 21, 2025 | IL | SB 212 | Requires Employers To Compensate Mothers Who Take Breaks At Work To Pump Breast Milk For Up To A Year After Their Child Is Born | Bill Passed - House (82 - 27) |
| May 21, 2025 | IL | SB 1441 | Limits Accounts Under the Secure Choice Savings Program Act to IRA Accounts | Bill Passed - House (74 - 37) |
| May 21, 2025 | IL | HB 1189 | Requires State and Local Projects Funded by the Federal Government to Pay Illinois' Prevailing Wage when Federal Prevailing Wage is Equal to or Less than the State's Prevailing Wage Requirement | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 18) |
| May 21, 2025 | IL | SB 1976 | Prohibits State Agencies from Revising their Rules in a Way that is Less Stringent in its Protection of Workers' Rights or Safety than the Requirements Established under Federal Law | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 19) |
| April 9, 2025 | IL | SB 212 | Requires Employers To Compensate Mothers Who Take Breaks At Work To Pump Breast Milk For Up To A Year After Their Child Is Born | Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 3) |
| April 9, 2025 | IL | SB 2164 | Amends Penalties and Processes for Assessing Penalties Under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 19) |
| April 8, 2025 | IL | HB 1189 | Requires State and Local Projects Funded by the Federal Government to Pay Illinois' Prevailing Wage when Federal Prevailing Wage is Equal to or Less than the State's Prevailing Wage Requirement | Bill Passed - House (82 - 28) |
| April 7, 2025 | IL | HB 1616 | Authorizes Part-Time Employees to Use up to 10 Days of Leave in Any 12-Month Period to Serve as an Organ Donor | Bill Passed - House (70 - 34) |
| April 3, 2025 | IL | SB 220 | Extends the Military Leave Act to Authorize Paid Leave for Funeral Honors Details | Bill Passed - Senate (55 - 0) |
| April 3, 2025 | IL | SB 1441 | Limits Accounts Under the Secure Choice Savings Program Act to IRA Accounts | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 6) |
| May 24, 2024 | IL | SB 3592 | Establishes the Strengthening Community Media Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 16) |
| May 21, 2024 | IL | SB 3592 | Establishes the Strengthening Community Media Act | Bill Passed - House (73 - 39) |
| May 2, 2024 | IL | SB 2234 | Establishes the Small Business Financing Transparency Act | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 19) |
| April 17, 2024 | IL | SB 3592 | Establishes the Strengthening Community Media Act | Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 13) |
| April 11, 2024 | IL | SB 2770 | Amends the Illinois Freedom to Work Act | Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 13) |
| April 11, 2024 | IL | SB 2933 | Establishes Revisions for the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act | Bill Passed - Senate (58 - 0) |
| May 18, 2023 | IL | HB 218 | Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to Include Firearm Industry Members | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 22) |
| May 10, 2023 | IL | HB 218 | Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to Include Firearm Industry Members | Bill Passed - House (71 - 40) |
| March 23, 2022 | IL | HB 2803 | Transfers $2.7 Billion from Pension Stabilization Fund to the Office of the State Comptroller | Bill Passed - House (68 - 43) |
| March 10, 2022 | IL | HB 2803 | Transfers $2.7 Billion from Pension Stabilization Fund to the Office of the State Comptroller | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 15) |
| March 3, 2022 | IL | HB 4850 | Amends Law Regarding Workplace Violence; Establishes Employer Liability | Bill Passed - House (69 - 39) |
| May 23, 2020 | IL | SB 2135 | Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 19) |
| May 23, 2020 | IL | SB 2135 | Establishes the "Government Emergency Administration Act" | Bill Passed - House (66 - 44) |
| March 14, 2019 | IL | SB 1596 | Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims | Bill Passed - House (70 - 40) |
| March 6, 2019 | IL | SB 1596 | Authorizes Exceptions for Limits on Workers' Compensation Claims | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 16) |
| Aug. 28, 2017 | IL | SB 1947 | Establishes School Funding Plan | Bill Passed - House (73 - 34) |
| July 6, 2017 | IL | SB 6 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 37) |
| July 4, 2017 | IL | SB 6 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Veto Override Passed - Senate (39 - 15) |
| July 2, 2017 | IL | SB 6 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - House (81 - 34) |
| May 17, 2017 | IL | SB 6 | Establishes Budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21) |
| April 6, 2017 | IL | HB 109 | Establishes Stopgap Budget | Bill Passed - House (64 - 45) |
| Dec. 3, 2013 | IL | SB 1 | Amends State Employee Pension Plans | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 53) |
| Dec. 3, 2013 | IL | SB 1 | Amends State Employee Pension Plans | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 24) |
| Nov. 6, 2013 | IL | SB 1523 | Amends Pension Code | Bill Passed - House (87 - 26) |
| May 27, 2010 | IL | SB 3658 | Temporary Sales Tax Holiday | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 8) |
| May 27, 2010 | IL | SB 3660 | Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 23) |
| May 25, 2010 | IL | HB 859 | 2010-2011 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 50) |
| May 25, 2010 | IL | SB 3514 | Amending State Pension Laws and Limiting Pension Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (71 - 44) |
| May 25, 2010 | IL | SB 3660 | Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 | Bill Passed - House (67 - 50) |
| May 7, 2010 | IL | HB 859 | 2010-2011 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 26) |
| May 7, 2010 | IL | SB 3739 | Establishing a Foreclosure Prevention Program | Bill Passed - House (87 - 26) |
| May 6, 2010 | IL | SB 642 | Public University Borrowing | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 11) |
| May 6, 2010 | IL | SB 642 | Public University Borrowing | Bill Passed - House (87 - 28) |
| May 6, 2010 | IL | SB 3658 | Temporary Sales Tax Holiday | Bill Passed - House (65 - 51) |
| May 5, 2010 | IL | SB 3695 | Streetgang-Related Crime Fund Changes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 20) |
| May 4, 2010 | IL | HB 2360 | Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 15) |
| March 26, 2010 | IL | HB 5109 | Prohibiting Public Funding of Portraits of Governors Removed From Office | Bill Passed - House (85 - 23) |
| March 22, 2010 | IL | HB 4886 | Authorizing 4-Day School Week | Bill Passed - House (81 - 21) |
| March 3, 2010 | IL | HB 4685 | Eliminating General Assembly Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - House (80 - 36) |
| March 3, 2010 | IL | HB 2360 | Homeowner's Emergency Assistance Plan | Bill Passed - House (73 - 38) |
| Feb. 24, 2010 | IL | HB 4654 | Limiting Free Mass Transit for Seniors | Bill Passed - House (83 - 27) |
| July 15, 2009 | IL | SB 1216 | 2009-2010 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 10) |
| July 15, 2009 | IL | SB 1292 | Issuing of Bonds for Revenue | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 12) |
| July 15, 2009 | IL | SB 1292 | Issuing of Bonds for Revenue | Bill Passed - House (88 - 24) |
| July 15, 2009 | IL | SB 1216 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (90 - 22) |
| June 30, 2009 | IL | SB 415 | Bond Approval | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (32 - 21) |
| May 31, 2009 | IL | SB 2252 | Temporary Income Tax Increase and Tax Credit for Green Businesses | Bill Failed - House (42 - 74) |
| May 30, 2009 | IL | HB 174 | Income Tax Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 27) |
| May 22, 2009 | IL | HB 255 | Video Gambling in Various Establishments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (86 - 30) |
| May 20, 2009 | IL | HB 255 | Video Gambling in Various Establishments | Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 12) |
| Aug. 19, 2008 | IL | HB 4201 | Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (27 - 11) |
| Aug. 13, 2008 | IL | HB 4201 | Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 12) |
| May 29, 2008 | IL | SB 788 | Authorizing $16 Billion Increase in Bonds for State Pensions | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 21) |
| May 15, 2008 | IL | SB 2052 | Taxes for Levee Repair | Bill Passed - House (64 - 44) |
| May 15, 2008 | IL | HB 4758 | Fairgrounds Racetrack Authority | Bill Passed - House (83 - 28) |
| May 7, 2008 | IL | HJR 132 | Legislative Salaries | Joint Resolution Passed - House (94 - 8) |
| April 16, 2008 | IL | SB 2052 | Taxes for Levee Repair | Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 15) |
| Jan. 17, 2008 | IL | HB 656 | Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 47) |
| Jan. 17, 2008 | IL | HB 656 | Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19) |
| Jan. 10, 2008 | IL | HB 656 | Transportation Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 51) |
| Jan. 10, 2008 | IL | HB 656 | Transportation Act | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25) |
| Nov. 28, 2007 | IL | SB 307 | Regional Transportation Authority Funding | Bill Failed - House (57 - 53) |
| Oct. 12, 2007 | IL | HB 664 | Homeowner Tax Exemption | Veto Override Passed - Senate (55 - 1) |
| Oct. 3, 2007 | IL | HB 664 | Homeowner Tax Exemption | Veto Override Passed - House (92 - 19) |
| Sept. 18, 2007 | IL | HB 2035 | Gaming Expansion to Fund Infrastructure and Social Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15) |
| Aug. 10, 2007 | IL | HB 3866 | 2007-2008 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (98 - 8) |
| Aug. 10, 2007 | IL | HB 3866 | 2007-2008 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 5) |
| Aug. 9, 2007 | IL | HB 556 | Cigarette Tax Increase | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 24) |
| July 6, 2007 | IL | HB 2055 | State Lottery Privatization | Bill Failed - House (6 - 78) |
| May 4, 2006 | IL | SB 1520 | 2006-2007 Budget | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 27) |
| May 3, 2006 | IL | SB 1520 | 2006-2007 Budget | Bill Passed - House (64 - 49) |
| May 2, 2006 | IL | SB 2872 | Local Government Facility Lease Act | Bill Passed - House (65 - 46) |
| April 26, 2006 | IL | HB 1918 | Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Casinos in Chicago | Bill Passed - House (70 - 32) |
| April 6, 2006 | IL | SB 3053 | Bond Authorization | Bill Failed - Senate (32 - 26) |
| April 6, 2006 | IL | SB 668 | Funding for Schools, Universities, and Roads | Bill Failed - Senate (32 - 26) |
| March 29, 2006 | IL | HB 1917 | Support Horseracing Through Riverboat Gambling | Bill Failed - House (58 - 52) |