Rep. Andrew Chesney published a column on his website Aug. 29 arguing against expanding voting rights for those in prison. The memo addresses a piece of legislation signed by the governor this week that makes the Cook County Jail a polling place.
The legislation was passed in an effort to assist pre-trial detainees in voting. These are those people who have no yet been convicted of a crime but remain detained.
Chesney argues that the legislation was a waste of very limited time and the General Assembly should better prioritize the bills they hear.
"Illinois law requires that pre-trial detainees be provided the ability to vote," said Chesney in the memo. "However, there is no legitimate reason this cannot simply be done through vote-by-mail ballot. Yet we still saw a push this spring to make sure these voters are accommodated by making the Cook County Jail a polling place. I voted no and advocated strongly against this move."
Chesney criticized the General Assembly for expanding rights for those awaiting trial but not those who are faultless and unable to vote, like people who are hospitalized.
"With the ability for those in jail pre-conviction to vote already, why are we bending over backwards to increase their participation but not others who are unaccommodated for more 'faultless' reasons?" said Chesney in his post.
Chesney reiterated in his post that priorities are important when there is limited time to move legislation and insists that the General Assembly spend more time fighting for those outside of the criminal justice system.
Chesney represents District 89, which includes Freeport, Elizabeth, Milledgeville, Lanark and Pearl City.
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