SE Illinois News

On May 2, 2024, in Springfield, IL, House Democrats swiftly pushed through significant elections legislation, causing concern among House Republicans. State Representative Patrick Windhorst, the House Republican Floor Leader from Metropolis, expressed his disapproval of the rushed process that led to the passage of SB 2412.

Windhorst criticized the Democrats, stating, "The process that led to this legislation passing through the House in just a single day shows just how far the Democrats will go in flexing their political muscles under the Statehouse dome." He emphasized the need for thorough debate on a bill that brings substantial changes to elections and limits the minority party's ability to appoint candidates.

Regarding SB 2412's impact on the slating process, Windhorst remarked, "The change proposed to the slating process in SB 2412 will have the impact of making our elections even less competitive." He raised concerns about the legislation potentially favoring incumbents and reducing overall competition in elections.

Despite Republican protests, the legislation successfully passed the House and is set to undergo a concurrence vote in the Illinois Senate. If signed into law, SB 2412 could lead to the removal of candidates already placed on the ballot by the Republican party through the current legal slating process.