(10 ILCS 5/28-11) (from Ch. 46, par. 28-11)

Sec. 28-11.

The Board shall design a standard and scientific random
sampling method for the verification of petition signatures for statewide advisory referenda and shall conduct
a public test to prove the validity of its sampling method.  Notice of the
time and place for such test shall be given at least 10 days before the date
on which such test is to be conducted and in the manner prescribed for notice
of regular Board meetings. Signatures on petitions for constitutional amendments initiated pursuant to Article XIV, Section 3 of the Illinois Constitution need not be segregated by election jurisdiction.  The Board shall design an alternative signature verification method for referenda initiated pursuant to Article XIV, Section 3 of the Illinois Constitution.

Within 14 business days following the last day for the filing
of the original petition
as prescribed in Section 28-9, the Board shall apply its proven random sampling
method to the petition sheets in each election jurisdiction section for
the purpose of selecting and identifying the petition signatures to be included
in the sample signature verification for the respective jurisdictions and
shall prepare and transmit to each proper election authority a list by page
and line number of the signatures from its election jurisdiction selected
for verification.

For each election jurisdiction, the sample verification shall include an
examination of either (a) 10% of the signatures if 5,010 or more signatures
are involved; or (b) 500 signatures if more than 500 but less than 5,010
signatures are involved; or (c) all signatures if 500 or less signatures are involved.

Each election authority with whom jurisdictional copies of petition sheets
were filed shall use the proven random sampling method designed and furnished
by the Board for the verification of signatures shown on the list supplied
by the Board and in accordance with the following criteria for determination
of petition signature validity:

1. Determine if the person who signed the petition is a registered voter in that

election jurisdiction or was a registered voter therein on the date the petition was signed;

2. Determine if the signature of the person who signed the petition reasonably compares

with the signature shown on that person's registration record card.

Within 14 business days following receipt from the Board of the
list of signatures
for verification, each election authority shall transmit a properly dated
certificate to the Board which shall indicate; (a) the page and line number
of petition signatures examined, (b) the validity or invalidity of such signatures,
and (c) the reasons for invalidity, based on the criteria heretofore prescribed.
The Board shall prepare and adopt a standard form of certificate for use
by the election authorities which shall be transmitted with the list of
signatures for verification.

Upon written request of the election authority that, due to the volume
of signatures in the sample for its jurisdiction, additional time is needed
to properly perform the signature verification, the Board may grant the
election authority additional days to complete the verification and transmit
the certificate of results.  These certificates of random sample verification
results shall be available for public inspection within 24 hours after receipt
by the State Board of Elections.

(Source: P.A. 97-81, eff. 7-5-11.)