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Illinois voters may opt to vote-by-mail in all elections

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Illinois voters may opt to vote-by-mail in all elections


Illinois voters have the prospect to enroll to ship their ballots for November and spring elections by mail — endlessly.

Elections officers are sending functions for everlasting permission to vote by mail to every of the state’s 8 million registered voters.

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Nobody is obligated to enroll. However for so long as they keep on the identical deal with, those that do will obtain ballots they’ll full at house and put within the mail for all future elections.

“The supply of a everlasting vote-by-mail listing ought to make this technique of voting extra handy for voters,” stated Matt Dietrich, Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman.

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Voting by mail in its present type has been round since 2010, when it changed absentee balloting and the necessity to present a cause for being away on Election Day. It grew in recognition with every election, reaching 9.2% of whole votes solid in 2018.

With the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a regulation required functions for mail voting be despatched to anybody who had voted in at the least one of many three earlier elections. That 12 months vote-by-mail accounted for one-third of all ballots solid, break up evenly with these voting early in particular person and people conventional tallies solid on Election Day.

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Given the lessened risk of encountering a probably lethal virus, Dietrich expects vote-by-mail numbers to drop this fall in contrast with the 2020 normal election. However he famous that 15.3% voted that means in Illinois’ June main, nonetheless a wholesome hike from 2018.

The numbers had been extra balanced in Chicago. The almost 40% of mail-in ballots obtained within the November 2020 election was virtually matched by the 2022 main, which produced 36.4% by mail, in response to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.

Board spokesman Max Bever stated Chicago started sending functions final spring, so the town already has a everlasting vote-by-mail listing of 100,000 names, amongst about 1.5 million registered voters citywide.

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These had been despatched with the annual canvass mailing, the means by which elections authorities have and can proceed to watch voter eligibility. It features a card despatched yearly exhibiting voters’ precinct numbers and the names of elective governments through which they’re eligible to vote.

Officers say these might not be forwarded, so when a card is returned to one of many state’s 108 elections authorities, that voter’s title is faraway from the rolls.

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The rollout has been clean with few issues or questions. Even in central and southern Illinois, which leans Republican and has sturdy pockets of assist for former President Donald Trump and his false declare that his 2020 reelection loss was rigged towards him, there’s been little outcry.

A current social media put up carried misinformation that the regulation required that ballots, not functions for ballots, be mailed to each voter.

“In November of ’20, we had a few of that,” stated Connie Simmons, county clerk and recorder of Jefferson County, 79 miles (127 kilometers) southeast of St. Louis. “However nobody receives a poll until we obtain a signed software.”

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The regulation additionally made poll drop packing containers established in 2020 everlasting. They’re usually containers close to the courthouse or round a metropolis the place voters might submit ballots with out human contact.

And for the primary time, people who find themselves in jail awaiting trial or who in any other case haven’t been convicted of against the law have to be given the prospect to vote by mail. The Cook dinner County Jail is required to arrange inmate polling locations. Different jails might as properly.



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Illinois

Should Biden step aside? Illinois Democrat congressman weighs in

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Should Biden step aside? Illinois Democrat congressman weighs in


Calls within the Democratic Party for President Joe Biden to step aside are growing louder.

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Illinois Democratic Congressman Mike Quigley expressed concerns following Biden’s poorly received debate performance last week, which has caused a dip in his polling numbers. Democrats are now worried not only about keeping Donald Trump out of office but also about their prospects in the House and Senate.

“At this point, it’s Joe Biden, unless he decides he’s not that nominee,” Quigley said. “We move forward with that understanding unless there’s a change.”

White House officials and Biden campaign surrogates have claimed the president simply had a bad night during the debate. However, Quigley believes Biden’s problems extend beyond a single debate.

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“I think we gotta be honest with ourselves, this wasn’t just one bad debate performance. There are very real concerns, and you have to take the voters for where they are, not where you want them to be,” Quigley said.

Quigley emphasized that the decision is ultimately Biden’s to make, but he should consider his lagging poll numbers and their effect on down-ballot races.

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“If I were to talk to him, what I would say is, this was a tough race, it’s going to be a much tougher race. You were down in states, that hasn’t changed, got worse, so we’ve gotta make a decision, one he alone has to make,” Quigley added.

US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Supreme Courts immunity ruling at the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, DC on July 1, 2024. The US Supreme Court ruled July 1, 2024 that Donald Trump enjoys some immunity from prosecution as a

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Quigley is not the only top Democrat speaking out. Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett publicly called on Biden to step aside, and South Carolina Democratic stalwart Jim Clyburn said he would support Vice President Kamala Harris should Biden step aside. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also suggested that both Trump and Biden should take cognitive tests.

Quigley believes Biden would leave with his head held high if he chose to step down now.

“He’s really had one of the most successful presidencies of my lifetime, so I think what he has to appreciate is, that should be his legacy, and where do we go from here. That decision rests with only one person, and that’s President Biden. He has to come to terms with that,” Quigley stated.

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A Democratic strategist expressed doubts about Biden’s ability to continue given his poor polling numbers. Reports indicate that Biden plans to meet with top Democrats on Capitol Hill and governors and will sit down for an interview with ABC News on Friday.



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'Tipsy' artist Shaboozey joins Illinois State Fair 2024 lineup

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'Tipsy' artist Shaboozey joins Illinois State Fair 2024 lineup


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — Crossover country sensation Shaboozey has been added to the Illinois State Fair lineup.

The artist, with the hit single “Tipsy,” will take the stage Sunday, Aug. 18.

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Shaboozey also contributed to Beyonce’s chart-topping album “Cowboy Carter.”

Tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10 a.m. on Ticketmaster.

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According to the fair’s website, tickets start at $20; a pre-show party can be added on for $30.

Others performing at the 2024 Illinois State Fair include Keith Urban, Jason Isbell, Lil Wayne, Jonas Brothers, The Smashing Pumpkins and Miranda Lambert.

The fair takes place from Aug. 8 to 18 at the state fairgrounds in Springfield.

Visit statefair.illinois.gov for more information.

Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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Timeless Enters Illinois Cannabis Market

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Timeless Enters Illinois Cannabis Market


Timeless will launch in Illinois with six strains from its signature “Choose Your Mood” collection, “Energy” (Sativa), “Chill” (Hybrid), and “Rest” (Indica), as well as its NOIR Live Resin Terpenes and Timeless All-In-One vaporizers, all uniquely designed to suit the specific needs of each consumer. In addition, Timeless will debut an exclusive ‘Greetings From Illinois’ flip case and battery, a limited-edition combo featuring cultural references unique to Illinois. Team Timeless will be taking over retail partner locations throughout July to educate consumers on Timeless products, strains and their effects, as well as offering special promotions, doorbusters and food from local vendors.

“We are thrilled to begin the next chapter of our journey in the midwest in Illinois,” said Timeless Founder Rocky Huang. “Having previously launched in Missouri and Ohio, we know first-hand how incredible the midwestern cannabis market is and introducing our high-quality products to Illinois marks an exciting next step to further increase our presence in this region. By blending the state’s rich culture with our commitment to community, we hope to build long-lasting relationships with adult-use consumers.”

Timeless products will be available with activations at select Curaleaf locations starting Wednesday July 3rd, followed by Zen Leaf on the 4th, and continuing with OKAY, Trinity, Bud & Rita’s, Be, Windy City, and Ivy Hall dispensaries in the weeks to come. In addition, new locations carrying Timeless later in the month will include The Cannabist, Ayr Wellness, Consume, RISE, Mission, and nuEra.

To learn more about where and when to find Timeless in Illinois this summer and the schedule for Timeless Takeovers at dispensaries, please visit the Timeless Illinois Launch Webpage. For more information on the Timeless brands, collaborations, and product availability, please visit https://www.timelessvapes.com.

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About Timeless:
Timeless was founded in 2011 with the vision of creating a leading lifestyle brand around high-quality cannabis products and unique engagement through the pillars of “Community, Culture, and Legacy.” Timeless began making cannabis products in 2013 and is celebrating their 11th anniversary. Their passion for innovation, unique brand building, and customer engagement has led Timeless to be a leading national House of Brands in the industry. Today, Timeless operates in Arizona, California, Oklahoma, Ohio, Missouri, New Jersey, and now Illinois, and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. To learn more about Timeless please visit: https://www.timelessvapes.com.

SOURCE Timeless Refinery



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