Public Act 0642 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1863 Enrolled LRB101 10839 HEP 55974 b

Public Act 101-0642

AN ACT concerning government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is amended by adding Section 5-45.1 as follows:

(5 ILCS 100/5-45.1 new)

Sec. 5-45.1. Emergency rulemaking; 2020 general election. To provide for the expeditious and timely implementation of Article 2B of the Election Code, emergency rules implementing Article 2B of the Election Code may be adopted in accordance with Section 5-45 by the State Board of Elections. The adoption of emergency rules authorized by Section 5-45 and this Section is deemed to be necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.

This Section is repealed on January 1, 2021.

Section 10. The Election Code is amended by adding Article 2B as follows:

(10 ILCS 5/Art. 2B heading new)

ARTICLE 2B. CONDUCT OF THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION

(10 ILCS 5/2B-1 new)

Sec. 2B-1. Purpose. Whereas protecting the health and safety of Illinoisans is among the most important functions of State government, and whereas the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in declarations that COVID-19 presents a severe public health emergency by the World Health Organization, the United States government, and the Governor of Illinois, the General Assembly therefore declares it necessary and appropriate to make certain modifications to the administration and conduct of the elections for the November 2020 general election. The provisions of this Article are deemed necessary to protect the safety, health, and rights of the people of Illinois.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-5 new)

Sec. 2B-5. Application of Article.

(a) In addition to the provisions of this Code and notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the provisions in this Article shall govern the process and procedures for the 2020 general election. The provisions of this Code shall control any aspect of the administration or conduct of the 2020 general election that is not provided for in this Article, provided that in the event of conflict between this Article and any other provision of this Code or any other law, the provisions of this Article shall control.

(b) The provisions of this Article shall apply to all election authorities, including, but not limited to, those under the jurisdiction of a Board of Election Commissioners.

(c) The provisions of this Article shall apply for the administration and conduct of the 2020 general election only and the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly shall be in effect through January 1, 2021.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-10 new)

Sec. 2B-10. Election Day State holiday. Notwithstanding any other provision of State law to the contrary, November 3, 2020 shall be a State holiday known as 2020 General Election Day and shall be observed throughout the State. November 3, 2020 shall be deemed a legal school holiday for purposes of the School Code, State Universities Civil Service Act, and any other law designating a holiday. All government offices, with the exception of election authorities, shall be closed unless authorized to be used as a location for election day services or as a polling place.

Any school closed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and Section 24-2 of the School Code shall be made available to an election authority as a polling place for 2020 General Election Day. The election authority and the school shall comply with all safety and health practices established by the Illinois Department of Public Health pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 2B-35. The election authority shall be eligible for reimbursement of such reasonable cleaning expenses incurred as a result of using a school as a polling place for 2020 General Election Day, subject to the receipt and availability of federal funds, pursuant to Section 2B-60.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-15 new)

Sec. 2B-15. Changes to vote by mail application process for the 2020 general election.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of State law to the contrary, beginning on the effective date of this Amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, any elector may by personal delivery, mail, email, or electronically on the website of the appropriate election authority make application for an official ballot for the 2020 general election to be sent to the elector through mail. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the URL address at which an elector may electronically request a vote by mail ballot shall be fixed by each election authority no later than the effective date of this Amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly. An election authority shall accept any application submitted by an elector, including, but not limited to, the application prepared by the State Board of Elections, the election authority, or any other application submitted in a form substantially similar to that required by Section 19-3, including any substantially similar production or reproduction generated by any source or the by the applicant.

(b) No later than August 1, 2020, every election authority shall mail or email an application for an official vote by mail ballot for the 2020 general election to any elector who applied to vote an official ballot, whether by mail or in person, for any of the following elections: (1) 2018 general election; (2) 2019 consolidated election; or (3) the 2020 general primary election. No later than August 1, 2020, every election authority shall mail or email an application for an official ballot for the 2020 general election to any elector who has registered to vote or changed his or her registration address after the 2020 general primary election through July 31, 2020.

(c) In addition to providing electors with the application, the election authority shall provide any notices required by law and the following: (1) notice the elector may complete the application and return it through personal delivery, mail, email, or visit the election authority's URL to request an official ballot; (2) notice that upon completion of the application, the elector will receive an official ballot no more than 40 days and no less than 30 days before the election; (3) an explanation that following submission of the application the elector will receive a ballot at his or her registered address or the mailing address requested by the elector, and such ballot must be completed and returned no later than election day; (4) a phone number or email address to contact the election authority if the elector does not receive an official ballot or if the elector has questions; and (5) a website or phone number the elector can use to confirm receipt of his or her official ballot. A copy of the application and the notice shall be made available on the election authority's website.

(d) The application and notice required by this Section shall be mailed to the elector's registered address and any other mailing address the election authority may have on file, including a mailing address to which a prior vote by mail ballot was mailed.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-20 new)

Sec. 2B-20. Changes for vote by mail official ballot mailing and processing.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an election authority shall mail official ballots to any elector requesting an official ballot no earlier than September 24, 2020. Except for electors applying under Article 20, any elector submitting an application for a vote by mail ballot on or before October 1, 2020 shall receive a ballot no later than October 6, 2020. An election authority shall mail official ballots to any elector requesting an official ballot after October 1, 2020 no later than 2 business days after receipt of the application.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any vote by mail ballot received by an election authority shall be presumed to meet the requirements of Articles 17, 18, and 19 and the voter shall be deemed otherwise qualified to cast a vote by mail ballot unless deemed invalid as provided in this Section.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, within 2 days after a vote by mail ballot is received, but in all cases before the close of the period for counting provisional ballots, the election authority shall appoint panels as needed of 3 election judges, of which no more than 2 shall be from the same political party, from the list of election judges submitted by the county parties for this specific purpose to compare the voter's signature on the certification envelope of the vote by mail ballot with the signature of the voter on file in the office of the election authority. The signature shall be presumed to match unless 3 out of 3 election judges determine that the 2 signatures do not match. A vote by mail ballot may only be rejected by a vote of 3 of 3 election judges and only for the following reasons: (1) the signature on the certification envelope and the signature used by the election authority for verification purposes do not match or the certification envelope contains no signature; (2) the ballot envelope was delivered opened; (3) the voter has already cast a ballot; (4) if the voter voted in person on election day; or (5) the voter is not a duly registered voter in the precinct. If 3 of 3 election judges determine the ballot should be rejected for any reasons stated in this subsection (c), the judges shall mark across the face of the certification envelope the word "rejected" and the date and names of the judges voting to reject the ballot.

(d) If a vote by mail ballot is rejected, the election authority shall notify the voter within 2 days after the rejection or within one day if the rejection occurs after election day and in all cases before the close of the period for counting provisional ballots. The voter shall be notified through mail or email, or both, and the notice shall inform the voter of the reason or reasons the ballot was rejected. If the ballot was rejected based on the signature or lack of a signature, the voter shall be permitted to submit a statement the voter cast the ballot, and upon receipt the ballot shall be determined valid and counted before the close of the period for counting provisional ballots. If the ballot was rejected because the envelope was delivered opened, the voter shall be permitted to vote in person or request to receive another vote by mail ballot, provided the voter submits an application and casts a new ballot prior to the close of polls on election day.

(e) Election authorities shall accept any vote by mail ballot returned, including ballots returned with insufficient or no postage, and may establish secure collection sites for the postage-free return of vote by mail ballots. Any election authority establishing such a collection site pursuant to this subsection (c) shall collect all ballots submitted each day at close of business and process them as required by this Code, including noting the day on which the ballot was submitted. Ballots submitted to such collection sites after close of business shall be dated as delivered the next day, with the exception of ballots delivered on election day, which shall be dated as received on election day. Election authorities shall permit electors to return vote by mail ballots on election day up until the close of the polls.

(f) In accordance with Section 19-7, within one day after receipt of a vote by mail ballot, the election authority shall transmit notification of receipt to the State Board of Elections. If a vote by mail ballot is rejected, the election authority must notify the State Board of Elections within one day. Upon request by a state or local political committee, within 2 days an election authority must electronically provide the names and addresses of any vote by mail ballots received and any vote by mail ballots marked rejected.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-25 new)

Sec. 2B-25. Changes for first time registrants or change of address registrations.

(a) Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, any person completing a voter registration application or submitting a change of address shall be notified of the option to receive a vote by mail ballot. Upon request of the elector, the registration shall serve as an application to receive an official vote by mail ballot and the individual need not complete an application. Upon processing the registration, the election authority shall provide the individual with an official ballot.

(b) Upon request of the registrant, an election authority shall accept a completed voter registration form as a valid application and mail the elector an official ballot.

(c) Any person whose registration is incomplete or pending may provide any required documentation online or in person to the election authority prior to applying to vote in order to complete his or her registration.

(d) This Section shall not apply to an application processed pursuant to Section 1A-16.1 or an individual registering to vote in person at an election authority or an early voting site if the elector has the option and chooses to exercise the option to vote in person at the time of registration or in his or her precinct on election day.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-30 new)

Sec. 2B-30. Public dissemination of information prior to the 2020 general election.

(a) Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly through October 30, 2020, all election authorities shall include information about registering to vote and encouraging electors to vote by mail or during early voting with any pamphlet, brochure, flyer, or newsletter related to the 2020 General Election. Any such documents shall substantially include the following, "Due to COVID-19, all 2020 General Election voters are encouraged to cast a ballot prior to Election Day, either by mail or during early voting. Voting by mail is an easy option for voters and you can request a vote by mail ballot through email, mail, or in person. An application is available from your local election authority or at https :// elections.il.gov/ electionoperations/ VotingByMail.aspx. To register to vote or check your registration status, visit https:// ova.elections.il.gov.".

(b) The Secretary of State shall include in any pamphlet or materials produced in accordance with the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act the following language, "Due to COVID-19, all 2020 General Election voters are encouraged to cast a ballot prior to Election Day, either by mail or during early voting. Voting by mail is an easy option for voters and you can request a vote by mail ballot through email, mail, or in person. An application is available from your local election authority or at https:// elections.il.gov/electionoperations/VotingByMail.aspx. To register to vote or check your registration status, visit https:// ova.elections.il.gov.".

(c) No later than September 15, 2020, the Secretary of State shall send a notice to any elector who received an application but has not yet applied for a vote by mail ballot. The list of electors to receive the notification shall be provided by the State Board of Elections. The notice shall include, at a minimum: (1) notice that the elector previously received correspondence from the applicable election authority with information on how to apply for a vote by mail ballot, that the election authority has indicated the elector has not yet applied for a ballot, and the elector still has time to request a vote by mail ballot; and (2) a reference to a phone number, email address, and website the elector can visit to complete an application, return an application, or get additional information about vote by mail.

(d) No later than October 15, 2020, the Secretary of State shall send a notice to any elector who received the notice required in subsection (c) but has not yet applied for a vote by mail ballot. The notice shall include, at a minimum: (1) a statement that the elector has time to request a vote by mail ballot; and (2) a reference to a phone number, email address, and website the elector can visit to complete an application, return an application, or get additional information about vote by mail.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-35 new)

Sec. 2B-35. Early voting and election day requirements.

(a) Election authorities shall comply with any early voting and election day safety and health practices established in written guidance provided to the election authorities by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

(b) Election authorities may establish curb-side voting for individuals to cast a ballot during early voting or on election day. A curb-side voting program shall designate at least 2 election judges from opposite parties per vehicle and the individual must have the option to mark the ballot without interference from the election judges.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, election authorities shall establish one location to be located at an office of the election authority or in the largest municipality within its jurisdiction where all voters in its jurisdiction are allowed to vote on election day during polling place hours, regardless of the precinct in which they are registered. An election authority establishing such a location pursuant to this subsection (c) shall identify the location, hours of operation, and health and safety requirements by the 40th day preceding 2020 General Election Day and certify such to the State Board of Election.

(d) In addition to the requirements of Section 19A-15, beginning the 15th day preceding 2020 General Election Day, all permanent polling places for early voting shall remain open during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Election authorities may establish early voting hours in addition to those required by this subsection (d) to accommodate voters to whom COVID-19 presents increased health risks, including, but not limited to, the administration of a curb-side voting program established by the election authority pursuant to this Section.

(e) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a provisional ballot cast under item (7) of subsection (a) of Section 18A-5 shall be deemed valid and counted as a vote if the voter provides the election authority with the necessary documentation within 14 days of election day.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-40 new)

Sec. 2B-40. Judges of election.

(a) All laws and rules regarding the provisions of election judges shall be in effect for the 2020 general election, provided that notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any individual may be appointed to serve as an election judge if, as of the date of the election at which the person serves as judge, he or she has attained the age of 16.

Prior to appointment, a judge qualifying under this subsection (a) must certify in writing to the election authority the political party the judge chooses to affiliate with.

(b) All public and private secondary schools, community colleges, and universities shall publish notification on their publicly accessible websites and notify their students of the opportunity to serve as an election judge for the 2020 general election and the qualifications provided in subsection (a).

(c) The Department of Employment Security shall publish notification on its publicly accessible website that anyone receiving unemployment insurance may apply to serve as an election judge for the 2020 general election and the qualifications provided in subsection (a).

(d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, counties having a population of less than 250,000 pursuant to the 2010 U.S. Census, may appoint 3 judges of election to serve in lieu of the 5 judges of election required by this Code for the 2020 general election, unless such judges of election are appointed by election commissioners.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-45 new)

Sec. 2B-45. Electronic service of objections. Election authorities may authorize service of objections to candidate nominations through electronic mail in lieu of personal service if the election authority responsible for convening the electoral board:

(1) requires candidates to provide an electronic mail address where notices of objections and electoral board proceedings may be sent electronically in lieu of personal service;

(2) requires objectors to provide an electronic mail address where notices and electoral board proceedings may be sent electronically in lieu of personal service; and

(3) publishes notice of its decision to utilize this Section on its website within 5 business days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-50 new)

Sec. 2B-50. Additional duties of election authorities.

(a) Each election authority shall comply with the requirements of Section 2B-15. Each election authority shall provide the following to the State Board of Elections as it relates to Section 2B-15: (1), no later than August 2, 2020, each election authority shall provide to the State Board of Elections written confirmation that the election authority complied with subsections (b), (c), and (d) of Section 2B-15 and provide an electronic list of the names and addresses of every elector sent the required application and notice; (2) no later than September 2, 2020, each election authority shall provide the State Board of Elections with an electronic list of the names and addresses of every elector sent the required application and notice who has submitted the application and will receive an official ballot; and (3) no later than October 2, 2020, each election authority shall provide the State Board of Elections with an updated list of the names and addresses of every elector sent the required application and notice who has submitted the application and will receive an official ballot. Any list submitted to the State Board of Elections shall be accessible to State and local political candidates and committees.

(b) No later than 75 days prior to the 2020 general election, each election authority shall provide public notice of its services and equipment available to assist elderly voters and voters with disabilities. The notice shall include, but is not limited to, the availability of vote by mail ballots in braille and large format, assistance in marking the ballot, procedures for voting by vote by mail ballot, and procedures for voting early by personal appearance.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-55 new)

Sec. 2B-55. Additional duties of the State Board of Elections.

(a) No later than 2 business days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the State Board of Elections shall post on its official website an application for an official vote by mail ballot for the 2020 general election. The application shall be available at https:// elections.il.gov/ electionoperations/VotingByMail.aspx. Any applications received by the State Board of Elections shall be transmitted within 2 business days of receipt to the appropriate election authority.

(b) Within 5 business days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the State Board of Elections shall modify the online voter registration system to allow any new registrant to apply for a vote by mail ballot when completing online voter registration. Any new registrant that requests a vote by mail ballot when registering shall be eligible to request and receive a vote by mail ballot for the 2020 general election without submitting an additional application.

(c) Within 10 business days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the State Board of Elections shall provide notice to all election authorities of the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and the actions each election authority must take to comply with this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly. A copy of this notice shall be made available on the State Board of Election's official website.

(d) The State Board of Elections shall transmit to the Secretary of State, in the format requested by the Secretary of State, a complete list of the names and addresses submitted to the State Board of Elections by the election authorities in accordance with subsection (a) of Section 2B-50. The first transmission shall be sent no later than September 5, 2020 and the second transmission no later than October 5, 2020. Upon request, the lists shall also be made available by the State Board of Elections to State and local political committees and candidates upon request.

(e) Except as provided in this Article, the State Board of Elections does not need to adopt rules to administer or enforce the duties and requirements set forth in this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly but may adopt such emergency rules if deemed necessary by the State Board of Elections. The absence of rules or emergency rules does not eliminate or reduce the rights, duties, or responsibilities set forth in this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-60 new)

Sec. 2B-60. Reimbursement for 2020 general election expenses.

(a) Each election authority shall comply with the requirements of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly. The State Board of Elections may withhold any reimbursements for election related costs if an election authority is found to have failed to comply with the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly.

(b) Subject to receipt and availability of federal funds, the State Board of Elections may adopt emergency rules subject to the provisions of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to establish a program to provide reimbursement to election authorities for expenses related to the 2020 general election incurred as a result of COVID-19 and the requirements of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly that are deemed necessary for the safety of the public and in response to COVID-19.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-90 new)

Sec. 2B-90. Repeal. This Article shall repeal on January 1, 2021.

Section 15. The Illinois Procurement Code is amended by changing Section 15-45 as follows:

(30 ILCS 500/15-45)

Sec. 15-45. Computation of days. The time within which any act provided in this Code is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is Saturday or Sunday or is a holiday, and then it shall also be excluded. If the day succeeding a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday is also a holiday, a Saturday, or a Sunday, then that succeeding day shall also be excluded. For the purposes of this Code, "holiday" means: New Year's Day; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday; Lincoln's Birthday; President's Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veterans' Day; Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day; and any other day from time to time declared by the President of the United States or the Governor of Illinois to be a day during which the agencies of the State of Illinois that are ordinarily open to do business with the public shall be closed for business.

Notwithstanding any other provision of State law to the contrary, November 3, 2020 shall be a State holiday known as 2020 General Election Day and shall be observed throughout the State pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 98-1076, eff. 1-1-15.)

Section 20. The School Code is amended by changing Section 24-2 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/24-2) (from Ch. 122, par. 24-2)

Sec. 24-2. Holidays.

(a) Teachers shall not be required to teach on Saturdays, nor, except as provided in subsection (b) of this Section, shall teachers or other school employees, other than noncertificated school employees whose presence is necessary because of an emergency or for the continued operation and maintenance of school facilities or property, be required to work on legal school holidays, which are January 1, New Year's Day; the third Monday in January, the Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; February 12, the Birthday of President Abraham Lincoln; the first Monday in March (to be known as Casimir Pulaski's birthday); Good Friday; the day designated as Memorial Day by federal law; July 4, Independence Day; the first Monday in September, Labor Day; the second Monday in October, Columbus Day; November 11, Veterans' Day; the Thursday in November commonly called Thanksgiving Day; and December 25, Christmas Day. School boards may grant special holidays whenever in their judgment such action is advisable. No deduction shall be made from the time or compensation of a school employee on account of any legal or special holiday.

(b) A school board or other entity eligible to apply for waivers and modifications under Section 2-3.25g of this Code is authorized to hold school or schedule teachers' institutes, parent-teacher conferences, or staff development on the third Monday in January (the Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.); February 12 (the Birthday of President Abraham Lincoln); the first Monday in March (known as Casimir Pulaski's birthday); the second Monday in October (Columbus Day); and November 11 (Veterans' Day), provided that:

(1) the person or persons honored by the holiday are recognized through instructional activities conducted on that day or, if the day is not used for student attendance, on the first school day preceding or following that day; and

(2) the entity that chooses to exercise this authority first holds a public hearing about the proposal. The entity shall provide notice preceding the public hearing to both educators and parents. The notice shall set forth the time, date, and place of the hearing, describe the proposal, and indicate that the entity will take testimony from educators and parents about the proposal.

(c) Commemorative holidays, which recognize specified patriotic, civic, cultural or historical persons, activities, or events, are regular school days. Commemorative holidays are: January 28 (to be known as Christa McAuliffe Day and observed as a commemoration of space exploration), February 15 (the birthday of Susan B. Anthony), March 29 (Viet Nam War Veterans' Day), September 11 (September 11th Day of Remembrance), the school day immediately preceding Veterans' Day (Korean War Veterans' Day), October 1 (Recycling Day), October 7 (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Remembrance Day), December 7 (Pearl Harbor Veterans' Day), and any day so appointed by the President or Governor. School boards may establish commemorative holidays whenever in their judgment such action is advisable. School boards shall include instruction relative to commemorated persons, activities, or events on the commemorative holiday or at any other time during the school year and at any point in the curriculum when such instruction may be deemed appropriate. The State Board of Education shall prepare and make available to school boards instructional materials relative to commemorated persons, activities, or events which may be used by school boards in conjunction with any instruction provided pursuant to this paragraph.

(d) City of Chicago School District 299 shall observe March 4 of each year as a commemorative holiday. This holiday shall be known as Mayors' Day which shall be a day to commemorate and be reminded of the past Chief Executive Officers of the City of Chicago, and in particular the late Mayor Richard J. Daley and the late Mayor Harold Washington. If March 4 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, Mayors' Day shall be observed on the following Monday.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of State law to the contrary, November 3, 2020 shall be a State holiday known as 2020 General Election Day and shall be observed throughout the State pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly. All government offices, with the exception of election authorities, shall be closed unless authorized to be used as a location for election day services or as a polling place.

(Source: P.A. 98-156, eff. 8-2-13.)

Section 25. The State Universities Civil Service Act is amended by changing Section 45a as follows:

(110 ILCS 70/45a) (from Ch. 24 1/2, par. 38l.1)

Sec. 45a. Except as provided in the second sentence of this Section, all officers and employees subject to this Act, shall have the following days as holidays, for which they shall receive their usual compensation: New Year's Day, January 1, Memorial Day, as determined by the law of the State of Illinois, Independence Day, July 4, Labor Day, the first Monday in September, Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday of November, Christmas Day, December 25, and five holidays to be designated by each college, university, agency and community college subject to this Act. Craft and trade employees subject to this Act shall be paid for all paid holidays included in their area agreement, and will be paid for all five holidays designated by their employer pursuant to this section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of State law to the contrary, November 3, 2020 shall be a State holiday known as 2020 General Election Day and shall be observed throughout the State pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly. All government offices, with the exception of election authorities, shall be closed unless authorized to be used as a location for election day services or as a polling place.

(Source: P.A. 79-1186.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.