Bill could help protect Illinois election workers

An Illinois lawmaker wants to give election workers some extra protection.

State Senator Steve Stadelman’s bill would create a new fine for harassing or abusing people who run the polling sites. Stadelman came up with the idea in response to the growing amount of harassment election officials are seeing across the country. He points to a recent report from the William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies that found one in three election workers has been harassed.

Stadelman’s bill would establish a maximum $1,000 fine for people caught harassing or abusing election judges. Political analysts say the increase in harassment coincides with a trend of fewer people signing up to be election judges. The bill is still in committee.

Illinois does not have any fines like this right now.

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