Autism Advocacy
Let's Hear from the
Presidential Candidates!
This is a
direct comparison of Presidential Candidates McCain/Palin and
Obama/Biden on their respective stances on disability issues. It was
prepared by Ohio Legal Rights Service.
http://www.olrs.ohio.gov/prescompare.htm
Write Your
Representative
You can find out who your
representatives are at this website:
http://www.elections.illinois.gov/DistrictLocator/AddressSearch.aspx
Right now we are asking every one of
you to write to your local representatives and tell them about your family.
Tell them what your life is like, living with someone on the Autism Spectrum.
Send a Holiday Card, with your family's picture on it. Send a letter.
Tell them what you struggle with. Tell them your goals.
The point is to make them aware.
To put yourself out there, as a real human being with real struggles. Put
a face to Autism. Show them who you are, and show them your beautiful
child, so that when Autism is being discussed, your face can come to mind.
Autism isn't something that happens in Hollywood movies or on Larry King Live.
It's something that affects people right here in Rockford. It's something
that affects the voters of Illinois.
You don't have to be a professional
writer. Write as if you were writing to a distant family member, just to
tell them what's going on in your corner of the world. You don't need to
complain and whine. Just talk. Tell them about yourself. Tell
them about your family. Tell them about Autism.
YOU can make a difference!
Senate again approves health coverage for autism
Associated Press
11:44 AM CDT, September 23, 2008
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The
Illinois House is receiving its fifth piece of legislation this year
requiring insurance coverage for autism treatment.
The Senate voted 47-6 Tuesday to approve the plan. It would require insurers
to cover up to $36,000 a year and unlimited doctor visits until age 21 for
people with autism spectrum disorders.
The Senate has previously sent three bills on the matter to the House.
Governor
Rod Blagojevich added the language to two other bills in amendatory
vetoes.
The House likes the idea, but some lawmakers say they don't trust
Blagojevich to implement the plan without legislative oversight.
The bill is HB2070. On
the Net: www.ilga.gov
Legislative News:
Our autism insurance
bill has new life, thanks to the efforts of parent Pete
DiCianni, Senator Jim DeLeo, Representative Angelo Saviano, and now Governor Rod
Blagojevich.
As you may recall, SB1900 was introduced this spring, passed the Senate 50-0 and
passed the House 113-0. However, the bill got derailed by a dispute over a late
amendment that did not go to the substance of the bill, and it has been in limbo
since.
Yesterday, in a rare Sunday press conference at Chicago's Children's Museum at
Navy Pier, Governor Blagojevich announced that he was going to add the language
from SB1900 to another bill that was already on his desk, HB4522, through an
amendatory veto. That bill was introduced by Rep. Bob Pritchard to increase
coverage for multiple sclerosis. Rep. Pritchard was also at the press conference
to announce his support for the addition to help our kids, along with Rep. Elga
Jefferies, the State Insurance Director Michael McRaith, and many of our
families.
Please call your State Representative on Monday at their local office, or
Tuesday at the Capitol. Ask him/her to vote to concur in the amendatory
veto of HB4522, which adds insurance coverage for autism, up to $36,000 per
year. Your state rep has already voted for this coverage under SB1900.
Please thank them for their support, too!
We need your help if Illinois is to join the other states with new autism
insurance legislation this year, like South Carolina, Arizona, Louisiana,
and Pennsylvania.
SB 1900 Is stuck in
The House
We need your help!!!!
This is an Autism Insurance Bill that
was introduced by
Senator James Deleo
The Bill helps families:
-Get up to 36,000 per child per year
-Includes ABA
ACTION ALERT
URGENT ACTION NEEDED FOR ILLINOIS SB 1900
SB 1900, a bill that would require insurance coverage for children with autism
has run into a problem in the House of Representatives due to a technical
amendment and we need your help today in order for this bill to go the Governor.
This bill overwhelmingly passed both the Illinois Senate and House with
bipartisan support and is now stuck if the House does not recede from the
technical amendment (that is procedural and has nothing to do with the bill).
We must have your voices to help us move this bill into law and end
discriminatory practices by insurance companies who deny our children medically
necessary treatments.
Please be polite and
respectful.
What you can do right now, time is of the essence;
1. Call or fax the Speaker of the House, Michael Madigan, and ask him to allow
the bill to go to the Governor today!
Springfield Office:
(217) 782-5350
(217) 524-1794 FAX
2. Call your Illinois State Representative and ask them to put pressure on
Speaker Madigan to allow the bill to go to the Governor. Go to www.ilga.gov to
look up their number in Springfield.
3. Remind them this is about coverage for medically necessary services that can
help our children with the most basic life skills and our children's medical
needs should not be subject to political gamemanship. Our children's futures are
at stake.
We need everyone in our community to speak up for our children, parents,
grandparents, aunts, uncles and therapists. Call today and speak up for our
children! Thank you!
Home and Community Services
SB 3022
Funding for home and community Services:
Senator Halvorson
Please go to
www.familysupportnetwork.org For more information on this Bill
Quick links
To read Bills & Legislation visit
http://ilga.gov/legislation/
Search by number of the bill or keyword “Autism”
Legislator Lookup
Who is your elected official? Search by district, legislator, and address.
http://www.elections.il.gov/DISTRICTLOCATOR
Autism License Plates
We are still looking for people to email us if they are interested in the
“Autism License Plate”
HB(P.A. 95-0226)
Proceeds will benefit an autism research fund established by a previous tax
check off
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Plate No:
To:info@autismillinois.org
We need 850 requests…
Blue
Print for System Redesign in Illinois:
7 year comprehensive
action plan.
• Eliminates the wait
list-support 2500 more individuals annually.
• Lowers the number of people living in institutions
• Bans the opening of group homes for more than 6 people
• Provides more necessary supports so those with developmental disabilities can
stay in their communities near their loved ones
For more information
visit:
www.state.il.us/agency/icdd
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Tax Breaks for Special
Needs Kids
Please follow the link and read the petition regarding
tax breaks for families with special needs children, and sign if you support
the idea. Pass it along to anyone you think might be interested, whether they
have special needs children or not.
http://www.petitiononline.com/txbrk456/petition.html
Thank you.
President Bush Announces FY 2009 Budget Priorities
Thursday, February 14, 2008
By: Carin Yavorcik
Plan proposes cuts to research and services
On Monday, February 4th, President Bush released his final proposed budget,
laying out the Administration’s plans and priorities for FY 2009.
The president’s budget provides no new funding for the Combating Autism Act, and
level-funds or cuts many important autism and disability-related programs.
Specifically, the Administration’s budget provides only $16.1 million for the
CDC’s autism program - a 0.5 percent cut from last year, and almost $2 million
less than the amount recommended under the Combating Autism Act. The budget also
provides no new increases for autism research at the National Institutes of
Health or autism programs at the Department of Health and Human Services Health
Resources and Services Administration.
The proposed budget also calls for the elimination of the Supported Employment
State Grant program, cuts funding for the Office of Disability and Employment
Policy by more than half, reduces programs for supported housing for people with
disabilities by 30 percent, and proposes more than $17.3 billion in cuts to
Medicaid, most of which will be shifted to the states.
The president’s plan increases IDEA funding by $337 million; however, the
proposed level of $11.3 billion is $10.2 billion short of the amount called for
by the authorizing legislation enacted in 2004. The Institute of Education
Sciences funding for special education studies and evaluations was cut from $11
million to $9 million.
The Administration’s budget is only the first step in the lengthy appropriations
process, as Congress will respond with its draft of a budget highlighting its
priorities. Furthermore, in this year of highly charged presidential politics,
many of the more controversial proposals and reductions will fall by the
wayside.
In light of the proposed budget, it is more important than ever that elected
officials know that autism is a priority - both those running for and already in
office. The Autism Society of America will be working to increase funding for
many of these key programs, and to ensure that autism has a voice in Washington
and beyond.
Here are some of the
2008 Presidential Candidates, and their stands on autism. Candidates are
listed in alphabetical order, by party, as listed in the Washington Post. If I was able to find a view on
their website, I posted it below, and if I wasn't able to find their view, I sent an
email to their website requesting more information. Posting or not posting
a candidate's view does not constitute a recommendation or rejection of a
candidate - I tried to post anything I found regarding autism for any candidate.
If you have information regarding a candidate's stand on autism that isn't
represented below,
please send it to me.
We do not advocate any
particular candidate. This is simply to provide you information so that
you can make your own decision.
The candidates for
president got a questionnaire about disability rights. Read the candidates'
responses here.
The Autism Society of
America has also sent a questionnaire out to the presidential candidates.
Read about it here, and see the questionnaire
here.
Click Here for Illinois Voter
Registration Information
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DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES |
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Hillary Rodham
Clinton
http://www.hillaryclinton.com
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11/24/2007
Hillary Clinton’s
Plan to Help Children And Families Affected By Autism
Hillary Clinton
today unveiled her plan to help children and families affected by autism,
vowing to dramatically boost research funding and support services for
families caring for an autistic loved one.
Over the last 15
years, the number of autism diagnoses has skyrocketed, from 1 in 10,000 in
1993 to 1 in 150 in 2007. About 25,000 children are diagnosed with autism
each year, and 1.5 million Americans and their families are affected by
autism today. Autism affects people from all racial, ethnic, and social
groups though it is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. This
national health crisis is costing the United States at least $35 billion
each year.
"Driven by their
love and devotion to their children, mothers and fathers across the
country have raised awareness, demanded funding, and opened our eyes to
the needs of so many of our children living with autism," Clinton said.
"It’s time we had a government and a President that recognized the
seriousness of autism and addressed it head-on. It’s up to us to reclaim
the future for our children, and ensure that every child can live up to
his or her God-given potential."
Hillary has long
been a strong advocate for individuals and families impacted by autism. As
Senator, she cosponsored the Combating Autism Act and introduced
the Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act, in order
to ensure that
Americans living
with autism could have access as quickly as possible to evidence-based
treatments, interventions, and services. She has a record of supporting
full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,
through which children with autism and other disabilities are eligible to
receive special education services.
As President,
Hillary Clinton will provide approximately $700 million a year to address
autism through the following initiatives:
·
Expanding research to identify
causes of autism and monitoring its impact across the country
·
Creating an Autism Task Force
charged with investigating evidence-based treatments, interventions, and
services
·
Providing planning and
demonstration grants for services for adults
·
Improving access to
post-diagnosis care
·
Providing teacher training
·
Creating a National Technical
Assistance Center
·
Guaranteeing quality,
affordable health care
What Autism Experts
Are Saying About Hillary’s Plan
"The Autism Society
of America welcomes Senator Clinton's integrated plan to support Americans
with autism and their families throughout their lives. The United States
is facing ballooning annual costs for a medical condition that is
identified too late and treated incompletely. The investment our nation
makes today in early identification, services and support will create
opportunities for these individuals to contribute meaningfully in our
society--as is their right.
Senator Clinton's
plan is a very important step in that direction.- Lee Grossman, President
and CEO, Autism Society of America.
"Senator Clinton’s
proposal is a comprehensive plan that will help children and adults living
with autism and their families today and in the future. It’s not enough to
support research aimed at finding the cause and cure for autism spectrum
disorders. We must also increase the availability of services to help meet
the needs of people with autism today." -James E. Williams, Jr., President
and CEO, Easter Seals
"Recognizing the
autism epidemic as a national public health priority deserving of
Presidential attention, Senator Hillary Clinton today endorsed and
detailed a number of policy positions long-supported by Autism Speaks and
its predecessor organizations and long-needed by the many American
families facing the challenge of autism." - Autism Speaks
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Hillary Clinton’s
Plan to Help Children and Families Affected by Autism
Today, Hillary
Clinton unveiled her plan to help children and families affected by Autism
Spectrum Disorders, commonly known as autism, which are complex
neurobiological conditions. The number of children with autism has grown
from 1 in 10,000 in 1993 to 1 in 150 in 2007. About 25,000 children are
diagnosed with autism each year, and 1.5 million Americans and their
families are affected by autism today. Autism affects people from all
racial, ethnic, and social groups though it is four times more likely to
strike boys than girls. This national health crisis is costing the United
States at least $35 billion each year.
Hillary has long
been a strong advocate for individuals and families impacted by autism. As
Senator, she cosponsored the Combating Autism Act and introduced
the Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act, in order
to ensure that Americans living with autism could have access as quickly
as possible to evidence-based treatments, interventions, and services. She
has a record of supporting full funding for the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act, through which children with autism and
other disabilities are eligible to receive special education services.
As President,
Hillary Clinton will provide approximately $700 million a year to address
autism through the following initiatives:
Expanding Research-
As President, Hillary will increase funding to help families affected by
autism through research, surveillance, awareness, and early
identification. She will fully fund the Combating Autism Act, which became
law in 2006 but has not been funded by President Bush. The major elements
of that law are:
·
Identifying the causes of autism- Hillary will double investments in
the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) efforts to identify the causes
of autism,
including possible
environmental causes. Hillary has long been a supporter of increased
research to determine the links between environmental factors and
diseases, and she believes we should increase the NIH’s ability to engage
in this type of research. Hillary has an initiative to increase the NIH
budget by 50 percent over five years and to double it over 10 years.
·
Providing funds for surveillance- The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention funds an Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring
Network to determine the prevalence of autism in the United States.
Hillary would expand this network and create Centers of Excellence in
Autism Spectrum Disorder Epidemiology. Hillary wants to ensure that we
have the best data possible on the prevalence and impact of autism in
different groups of children, in different areas of the country.
·
Increasing autism education,
early detection, and intervention-
Hillary will require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to
disseminate information about signs of autism, early screening, and
training for professionals who deal with young children through federal
programs that reach children and families - such as the Child Care and
Development Block Grant, Head Start, the Children’s Health Insurance
Program - and will disseminate this information to pediatricians. The
American Academy of Pediatrics recently called for universal autism
screening for all children under age two, an initiative that will improve
early detection.
Creating an Autism
Task Force Charged with Investigating Evidence-Based Treatments,
Interventions, and Services-
The limited amount of credible evidence-based research on treatments,
interventions, and services for children and adults with autism is a major
impediment to the development and delivery of quality care. Without this
base of research, parents may not know what services and supports for
autism are most helpful for their family members impacted by autism. As
President, Hillary will create a task force that would include significant
representation from the autism community and would be charged with
identifying gaps in evidence-based biomedical research, behavioral
treatments, and services for children and adults with autism. This task
force would present these findings to Congress and the Executive Branch
and would make recommendations on how to make evidence-based treatments,
interventions, and services available at the state and local levels. Once
the task force has completed its work, Hillary will provide funding to
establish state-based demonstration grants to provide evidence-based
autism treatments, interventions, and services, as identified by the task
force.
Providing Planning
and Demonstration Grants for Services for Adults- Many individuals
with autism need assistance in the areas of education, employment,
transportation, housing, health, and recreation. Hillary will provide
funding for a one-time, single year planning grant for states and a
multi-year service provision demonstration grant program to increase
access to appropriate services to adults living with autism, including job
training, housing, and transition services for young people leaving
school. With access to these types of services and supports, individuals
with autism can live full, rich, productive lives. With the autism
prevalence rate among children now at 1 in 150, the need to identify and
provide services for adults with autism will grow rapidly over the next
few years.
Expanding Access to
Post-diagnosis Care-
Hillary will expand access to treatments, interventions, and services to
children with autism, with the goal of providing and coordinating
multi-agency, intensive, comprehensive, and evidence-based treatments,
interventions and services so that no child will experience a delay in
receiving services that can improve his or her quality of life. There is
strong consensus within the research community that intensive intervention
started as soon as possible following diagnosis yields the most positive
outcomes for children with autism. Yet too often, children have to wait
for months after receiving a diagnosis in order to receive care.
Providing Teacher
Training-
Hillary will provide funding for school districts to ensure that teachers
responsible for educating children with autism receive specialized teacher
training, including ways to engage in appropriate interventions. The
number of children with autism in public schools has soared nationally,
doubling in just three or four years in some states. Many teachers are
unable to access the specialized training and information to help them
meet the special needs to individuals along the spectrum. As a result,
there is an ever-increasing need for teachers with expertise in this area.
Creating a National
Technical Assistance Center-
Hillary will establish and maintain a national technical assistance center
to gather and disseminate information about autism treatments,
interventions, and services, and provide technical assistance. The
information would accessible to the public through the Internet.
Guaranteeing Access
to Quality, Affordable Health Care- Hillary will ensure
guaranteed, affordable, quality health care for all Americans, including
those with autism. Her American Health Choices Plan would enable
individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities to have
access to quality, affordable health care for their conditions. It would
ensure that no American is denied coverage, refused renewal, unfairly
priced out of the market, or forced to pay excessive insurance company
premiums, and it would improve coordinated care services for people with
autism and other chronic diseases.
******************
http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id
=9971&JServSessionIdr012=khgf5ifrk3.app26a
Clinton Unveils Proposed
Autism Plan
Monday, November 26, 2007
By: Carin Yavorcik
Candidate pledges $700 million if elected
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton unveiled her plan to
help children and families affected by autism in Iowa on November 24. The
senator from New York pledged $700 million yearly toward autism research
and support services if she is elected.
“Driven by their love and devotion to their children, mothers and fathers
across the country have raised awareness, demanded funding and opened our
eyes to the needs of so many of our children living with autism,” Clinton
said in a statement. “It’s up to us to reclaim the future for our
children.”
The Clinton plan would create an autism task force charged with
investigating evidence-based treatments, interventions and services;
providing planning and demonstration grants for adult services; expanding
access to post-diagnosis care; providing teacher training; creating a
National Technical Assistance Center; and guaranteeing access to quality,
affordable health care. It would also fully fund the Combating Autism Act
of 2006, which Clinton sponsored, expanding research investigating the
causes of autism, providing funds for surveillance, and increasing autism
education, early detection and intervention.
“The Autism Society of America welcomes Senator Clinton's integrated plan
to support Americans with autism and their families throughout their
lives,” said ASA president and CEO Lee Grossman. “The United States is
facing ballooning annual costs for a medical condition that is identified
too late and treated incompletely. The investment our nation makes today
in early identification, services and support will create opportunities
for these individuals to contribute meaningfully in our society - as is
their right. Senator Clinton's plan is a very important step in that
direction.”
While the organization applauds the Senator’s initiative, ASA does not
endorse any candidate or party and encourages all candidates to seek
solutions to improve the lives of all affected by autism.
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Barack Obama
http://www.barackobama.com/
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Support Americans
with Autism. More than one million Americans have autism, a complex
neurobiological condition that has a range of impacts on thinking,
feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. As diagnostic
criteria broaden and awareness increases, more cases of autism have been
recognized across the country. Barack Obama believes that we can do more
to help autistic Americans and their families understand and live with
autism. He has been a strong supporter of more than $1 billion in federal
funding for autism research on the root causes and treatments, and he
believes that we should increase funding for the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act to truly ensure that no child is left behind.
More than anything,
autism remains a profound mystery with a broad spectrum of effects on
autistic individuals, their families, loved ones, the community, and
education and health care systems. Obama believes that the government and
our communities should work together to provide a helping hand to autistic
individuals and their families.
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REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES |
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Alan Keyes
http://www.alankeyes.com/ |
Requested More
information |
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John McCain
http://www.johnmccain.com/ |
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/john-mccain-ent.html
From abcnews.com
John
McCain Enters the Autism Wars
February 29, 2008 7:11 PM
At a town hall meeting Friday in Texas, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.,
declared that "there’s strong evidence" that thimerosal, a mercury-based
preservative that was once in many childhood vaccines, is responsible for
the increased diagnoses of autism in the U.S. -- a position in stark
contrast with the view of the medical establishment.
McCain was responding to a question from the mother of a boy with autism,
who asked about a recent story that the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and
the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program had issued a judgment in
favor of an unnamed child whose family claimed regressive encephalopathy
and symptoms of autism were caused by thimerosal.
"We’ve been waiting for years for kind of a responsible answer to this
question, and are hoping that you can help us out there," the woman said.
McCain said, per ABC News' Bret Hovell, that "It’s indisputable that
(autism) is on the rise amongst children, the question is what’s causing
it. And we go back and forth and there’s strong evidence that indicates
that it’s got to do with a preservative in vaccines."
McCain said there’s "divided scientific opinion" on the matter, with "many
on the other side that are credible scientists that are saying that’s not
the cause of it."
The established medical community is not as divided as McCain made it
sound, however. Overwhelmingly the "credible scientists," at least as the
government and the medical establishment so ordain them, side against
McCain's view.
Moreover, those scientists and organizations fear that powerful people
lending credence to the thimerosal theory could dissuade parents from
getting their children immunized -- which in their view would lead to a
very real health crisis.
The Centers for Disease Control says "There is no convincing scientific
evidence of harm caused by the low doses of thimerosal in vaccines, except
for minor reactions like redness and swelling at the injection site."
The American Academy of Pediatrics says"No scientific data link thimerosal
used as a preservative in vaccines with any pediatric neurologic disorder,
including autism."
The Food and Drug Administration conducted a review in 1999 -- the year
thimerosal was ordered to be removed from most vaccines -- and said that
it "found no evidence of harm from the use of thimerosal as a vaccine
preservative, other than local hypersensitivity reactions."
The Institute of Medicine’s Immunization Safety Review Committee concluded
"that the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal
relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism."
And a study of California Department of Developmental Services data
published last month indicated that there was "an increase in autism in
California despite the removal of thimerosal from most vaccines."
Yet there is a vocal, determined, passionate group -- including some
medical researchers and organizations -- who vehemently dispute what the
established medical community says about this wrenching issue. One of the
questions they ask is why would the thimerosal have been removed from the
vaccines if there was no real harm?
(The answer according to the Public Health Service, the American Academy
of Pediatrics, and vaccine manufacturers was "because any potential risk
is of concern.")
In any case, here we have a major political figure, the presumptive
Republican nominee, who stated that he at the very least isn’t as sure
about thimerosal as the medical establishment is.
Moreover, he made it sound as if the thimerosal is still in vaccines --
though as I understand it, thimerosal is all but gone in almost every
childhood vaccine now, and has been for years.
This could be quite controversial.
- jpt
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Dear Friends of ASA,
Just a year ago, America learned that one in every 150 American
children has an autism spectrum disorder rates that have skyrocketed from
a mere 5 years ago. Today our families need more support than ever to give
their loved ones with autism the chance to fulfill their potential. And
ASA is here to provide that crucial support as we have for over 40 years.
To that end, I want to share with you our goals and objectives for the
Autism Society of America. In 2008, ASA is committed to deepening our
efforts in the following areas:
·
Early Autism Diagnosis We are calling for
routine autism screening in America for all children at 12, 18 and 24
months so that they can get appropriate treatments and support in the
crucial early years
·
Treatment-Guided Research We need to
translate information on treatments that work into a body of knowledge on
practical, effective interventions that families can utilize today
·
Advocacy and Awareness We intend to put
autism on the platform for the 2008 US Presidential and Congressional
campaigns, starting with our Vote 4 Autism Today Initiative. You can
download a PDF copy of our Questions for the Candidates by
clicking here.
Support from friends like you has helped the
Autism Society of America and its partner organizations in autism get
the word out that while autism as a medical condition is growing, it is
treatable. It is becoming widely acknowledged that with the right help,
children with autism can attain amazing progress. This is a meaningful
initial victory. Together, we can sustain and build upon this exciting
momentum.
In the weeks and months to come, I will share with you further
developments concerning each of the three key autism areas outlined above.
I look forward to your input and support as we move forward in our vital
mission to improve the quality of life for every American affected by
autism, and their families.
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Please support autism
research,
care services and advocacy
 |
Sincerely,
Lee Grossman
President and CEO
ASA Member since 1991
Parent of a son with autism
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Voter
Registration Information for Illinois
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Registration is open year round except:
• During the 27-day period just prior to an election
• During the 2 days after such election (1 day after in Chicago)
QUALIFICATIONS
To register to vote in the State of Illinois an individual must meet the
following qualifications
• Be a United States citizen
• Be at least 18 years old by election day
• Have lived in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to election
day
OBTAINING A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM
Can register to vote in person or obtain a mail-in application from:
• County election office (contact
information).
• Board of Election's office
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When applying for services at the following:
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Obtain an application for voter registration online:
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different from where they reside.
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Federal jury only.
• Registered or non-registered members of the United States Armed Forces
while on active duty, and members of the Merchant Marines, as well as
their spouses and dependents who expect to be absent from their county of
residence on election day.
• Registered or non-registered members of religious groups, welfare
agencies as well as their spouses and dependents who are officially
attached to or assisting members of the Armed Forces who expect to be
absent from the county in which they reside on election day.
• State and Federal employees who had a voting residence in the precinct
at the time they entered employment, but who now reside elsewhere due to
State or Federal employment.
• A registered citizen temporarily residing overseas may vote by absentee
ballot.
• Any citizen residing outside of the country, not registered to vote but
qualified to vote in a federal election, may vote by absentee ballot for
federal offices only.
How Can I Acquire an Absentee Ballot?
Applications for absentee ballots are available, either by mail or in
person, from your
local elections office.
When the application is complete, it must either be mailed or delivered in
person to your local elections office (contact
information). If the application is mailed and it is properly
completed, the election authority will mail an absentee ballot to the
voter. If the application is returned in person or completed in the
election authority's office, the voter may immediately vote his/her
absentee ballot in the election authority's office.
Additional
Information for Overseas Voters
More information on absentee voting procedures click
here.
How do I Return the Absentee Ballot and What is the Deadline?
Insert the ballot into the envelope provided, seal it, complete and sign
the certification on the back and personally return it or mail it to your
local elections office (contact
information). (The absentee voter may authorize, in writing, a spouse,
parent, child, brother, sister, or licensed motor carrier, to deliver to
the election authority the completed absentee ballot in sufficient time to
be delivered to the polling place on Election Day.)
Source of information:
State Board of Elections
1020 South Spring Street
Springfield, Illinois 62704
Phone: 217-782-4141
TDD: 217-782-1518
http://www.elections.state.il.us/VotingInformation/welcome.aspx |
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