Illinois voters will be asked to weigh in on at least two changes to the Illinois Constitution at this November's election.
The Illinois Senate gave final approval to both measures Thursday. One measure says people can't be denied the right to vote on account of race or other factors. State Senator Kwame Raoul, a Democrat from Chicago, all but dared his colleagues to vote it down: "If you're for voter ID laws, you should vote no to this resolution. I urge an aye vote from all the people who want to encourage every American citizen who has the right to vote, to be able to cast their ballot."
The final vote was 52-0. The other measure seeks better treatment for victims of crime — like being allowed to make a statement before a defendant is sentenced. Illinois already has those kind of protections in the state Constitution, but the change would let victims sue to enforce their rights.
