Illinois ballots will include several advisory referenda during 2026 midterm elections – CBS News

Illinois ballots will include several advisory referenda during 2026 midterm elections  CBS News

The 2026 midterm elections are on Nov. 3, and Illinois voters will find more than just candidates in the big races on their ballots. Voters also will be asked to weigh in on several advisory referenda about potential new laws.While the results of those referenda will not decide the fate of potential legislation, they will send a signal to lawmakers about what the public would support.If you've ever been frustrated by the aftermath of Lollapalooza, with the time it takes to clean up from Riot Fest, or any other large event in Chicago for that matter, you can tell elected leaders as much.One referendum on the ballot in Chicago asks if the city should develop a permanent festival and outdoor event space for large-scale events.

David Merriman, professor of public policy, management, and analytics at University of Illinois Chicago, said such advisory referenda are non-binding, but they send a loud message either way."Either a signal to local lawmakers or to state lawmakers about what the people of the city want," he said.Another referendum in Chicago asks voters if the city should "restart use of gunshot detection technology that informs first responders when gunshots are detected."The Chicago City Council placed that question on the ballot. The effort was organized by aldermen who tried and failed to stop Mayor Brandon Johnson from