Illinois

Ranked-choice voting could come to Illinois in 2028

Published

2 years ago

March 5, 2024

Ranked-choice voting could come to Illinois in 2028

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.

“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.

Source link

Related Topics:Election Featured Government Politics polls ranked choice vote

Click to comment

Illinois

Illinois state bill would authorize pilot program for self-driving cars in Chicago

Published

7 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

Illinois state bill would authorize pilot program for self-driving cars in Chicago

February 4, 2026 / 8:26 AM CST
/ CBS Chicago

Self-driving cars could soon be making their debut in Chicago.

Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Illinois) has introduced a bill that would authorize autonomous vehicle pilot programs in several counties.

The bill would authorize an autonomous vehicle pilot program in several counties, including Cook County, and downstate Sangamon County — which includes Springfield.

If the pilot program is successful, the Illinois Department of Transportation could legalize self-driving cars statewide within three years.

The bill comes as self-driving car operator Waymo tries to gain a foothold in Illinois, according to published reports.

The bill still has a long way to go before becoming law.

Previous attempts to legalize self-driving cars in Illinois have gone nowhere.

In:

Source link

Illinois

Get to know your CAST leadership team

Published

19 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Press Room

Here are some fun facts about the College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) leadership team.

Chad McEvoy, dean

Favorite Illinois State or Bloomington-Normal annual event: Commencement

What’s your coffee order? Lots of coffee—hot coffee when it’s cold out and iced coffee in the summer

Best concert you have ever attended: Elton John and Billy Joel together

Cara Rabe-Hemp, executive associate dean

Number of years at Illinois State: I just started my 25th year.

Favorite part of your job: Working with the amazing CAST faculty, staff, students, and leadership team (and spreadsheets)

Favorite quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” —Maya Angelou

Kara Snyder, assistant dean of marketing, communications, and constituent relations

Favorite place on campus: The bridge between Milner Plaza and the Quad. I like being able to see it all.

Favorite way to unwind on the weekend: A hot yoga class

Favorite local restaurant: Fort Jesse Café

Tamekia Bailey, director of student success and CAST Connections

Number of years at Illinois State: 21. I came in 2004 as a transfer student and never left.

Something that is always on your desk: hand sanitizer

Leadership philosophy: Leadership is both a responsibility and a privilege, grounded in service, intentionality, accountability, and growth.

Cindy Greskiwcz, business administrative associate

Favorite place on campus: CEFCU Arena

Favorite fictional character from a book, show, or movie: Mickey Mouse

Something that is always on your desk: pen, paper to-do-list, and Breathe Deep lotion (something very needed)

Toni Burningham, director of development

Favorite local restaurant: Anju Above

Favorite fictional character from a book, show, or movie: Ellen Ripley in Alien movies (played by Sigourney Weaver)

Leadership philosophy: If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.

Teresa Fowler, office manager

Favorite local restaurant: Tobin’s Pizza

Dream vacation destination: Alaskan cruise

Favorite Illinois State or Bloomington-Normal annual event: Sweet Corn Circus festival

Chandra Smith, director of CAST-IT

Something that is always on your desk: Two Minions from the Minions movie, my years of service coin, and a dumpster fire coin

Favorite quote: “Leadership is about taking responsibility, not making excuses—unless the printer jammed again, then it’s totally the printer’s fault.” —Office wisdom

Favorite way to unwind on the weekend: Relaxing on the deck or patio with the people I love

Lucas Maxwell, chair of the Department of Agriculture

Something that is always on your desk: Sadly, a long to-do list

Favorite part of your job: Supporting students and faculty while building a strong, inclusive future for agriculture

Favorite place on campus: The University Farm, where education gets its boots muddy, and learning is hands-on

Donna Selman, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice Sciences

Favorite part of your job: Finding ways to make people’s lives easier

Go-to coffee order: London Fog

Best concert you have ever attended: Monsters of Rock in Germany, 1989

Kelly Reddy-Best, chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Go-to snack: Greek yogurt

Dream vacation destination: Vietnam/Ho Chi Minh Trail

Leadership philosophy: Lead with clear and compassionate communication, a deep commitment to justice and equity, and a strong belief in work-life balance to foster inclusive, sustainable, and trust-centered environments.

Chris Grieshaber, chair of the Department of Health Sciences

Favorite part of your job: Working with my colleagues on new ideas

Favorite way to unwind on the weekend: Soccer is my therapy

Dream vacation destination: Lazy: Hawaii; Not lazy: London

Sherif Rashad, director of the School of Information Technology

Go-to coffee order: Americano, no sugar and no milk

Best concert you have ever attended: Opera Aida at the Cairo Opera House, Egypt

Favorite quote: “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” —Steve Jobs

Noelle Selkow, director of the School of Kinesiology and Recreation

Favorite place on campus: Redbird Plaza, on the swings

Go-to snack: Cashews and string cheese

Favorite Illinois State or Bloomington-Normal annual event: Sugar Creek Arts Festival

Lt. Col. Steve Krippel, chair of the Department of Military Science

Favorite place on campus: Horton Field House (Morning PT)

Favorite way to unwind on the weekend: Working on old Chevys

Favorite fictional character from a book, show, or movie: Capt. John Miller (Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan)

Josh Brown, chair of the Department of Technology

Something that is always on your desk: Coffee

Favorite place on campus: Adjacent to campus … Uptown Normal

Best concert you have ever attended: It’s a tie: Rage Against the Machine (Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan, 1999) and Jack White (American Legion Hall, a small venue in Nashville, Tennessee, 2024)

Source link