SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WIFR) – While more than a third of the country cast their 2024 primary ballots on Super Tuesday, a task force of Illinois lawmakers meets today in Springfield with their sights set on possible changes to the 2028 election.
Ranked-choice voting is already established in other states, like Alaska and Maine, but the system is in effect in 60 jurisdictions across 24 states.
Voters have the opportunity to rank the candidates from favorite to least favorite.
The election is over if one candidate has more than 50% of the first-place votes. If not, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated, and that candidate’s voters are moved to their second choice, continuing the process until someone gets majority support.
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“There’s a big reason we’re always electing D’s & R’s. The system favors them. Whoever has the most votes wins and that favors the two major parties,” said St. Edwards University political science professor Brian Smith. “Any kind of reform like this is going to cut into their say.”
State Representative Maurice West is the co-chair of Illinois’ ranked-choice and voting systems task force. Although ranked-choice voting will not be put in place for this year’s election, West says the 2028 election could be a possibility.
“Ranked choice voting, in my words, is to ensure that your vote is counted, no matter what,” West said. “The ranked-choice voting that we are trying to implement here in the state of Illinois is focused on presidential primaries. We are working together with people on both sides of the aisle, we are collecting all the facts to see what the appetite is here in the state.”
Although West feels ranked-choice voting has advantages, he says it also has disadvantages, like updates to voting machines and informing state residents of what the system is and how it differs from the process we use now.
The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is warning residents of a “new surge” in scam texts claiming to be from the DMV and demanding money.
According to a press release from Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, residents are receiving text messages falsely claiming to either be from his office or a DMV, threatening suspension of license and vehicle registration if “fines” are not paid.
The messages often include links that can be used to steal residents’ information, and Giannoulias’ office is reminding residents to use vigilance and caution when receiving such messages.
“These text messages look legitimate and are designed to frighten people into acting quickly before they have time to think,” Giannoulias said. “Our office will never send a text message demanding payment or threatening to suspend someone’s license. If you receive a message like this, remember it’s a scam – plain and simple. Do not click the link and please report the message to scamalert@ilsos.gov.”
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According to his office, the messages often reference fake regulations or deadlines, and cite an upcoming enforcement date to add an air of urgency to the texts.
“These schemes are designed to create panic and trick individuals into surrendering money or personal information,” the Secretary of State’s Office said.
If a motorist receives a text, they are urged:
-NEVER to click a link
-Do not reply
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-Do not provide personal information
-Forward the message to the SOS’ scam alert email.
The only legitimate text messages the Secretary of State’s Office sends are to remind motorists of upcoming appointments at DMV facilities.
The No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (25-8) take on the No. 11 seed VCU Rams (28-7) with a Sweet 16 spot on the line on Saturday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
How to watch VCU Rams vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Stats to know
Illinois has a +501 scoring differential, topping opponents by 15.2 points per game. It is putting up 85.0 points per game to rank 17th in college basketball and is allowing 69.8 per outing to rank 67th in college basketball.
Illinois knocks down 11.0 three-pointers per game (eighth-most in college basketball), 2.6 more than its opponents (8.4). It is shooting 34.9% from deep (126th in college basketball) while allowing opponents to shoot 31.3%.
VCU has a +347 scoring differential, topping opponents by 9.9 points per game. It is putting up 81.6 points per game, 55th in college basketball, and is giving up 71.7 per outing to rank 116th in college basketball.
VCU knocks down 9.4 three-pointers per game (60th in college basketball) at a 36.9% rate (31st in college basketball), compared to the 6.8 per game its opponents make, at a 32.9% rate.
This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
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Photo: Patrick Smith, Andy Lyons, Steph Chambers, Jamie Squire / Getty Images
