The State of the State                                                   

By BILL KNIGHT

Americans are registering to vote in record numbers in the states where the National Voter Registration Act has been implemented, but Illinoisans haven't had that opportunity because Republicans have refused to comply. A June court ruling to obey the law seems to signal an end to resistance, but not to reluctance.

The law, known as "motor voter," took effect January 1. It requires states to permit citizens to register by mail or when they apply for or renew driver's licenses, and to enlist voters at social service, military recruiting and other public offices.

In Georgia, 183,000 people registered to vote in the first three months of 1995 — compared to 85,000 in all of '94, according to a report by HumanSERVE: Campaign for Universal Voter Registration that cites statistics furnished by state and county election officials. In Florida during the same time, 408,240 people registered — more than a quarter by mail or at disability or other public assistance agencies. In Washington, 91,000 registered — more than half at driver's license facilities.

"While the country's undergoing the largest voter registration increase in U.S. history, 1.5 million Illinoisans already have been denied this right available in almost every other state in the union," said Cook County Clerk David D. Orr, who based his estimate on the rate of registration in states with motor voter. "There's no question on the numbers."

However, Gov. Jim Edgar and other Republican leaders argue the law is a costly federal mandate that could lead to fraud. They asked the courts to rule it unconstitutional. Instead, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on June 5 ordered the state to implement motor voter, and Edgar announced his cooperation for the moment. "I do not believe it is realistic or prudent to prolong the battle at this point," the governor stated, but "we will monitor similar lawsuits elsewhere in the nation and are prepared to resume our battle if different rulings arise."

Since the court decision covers only federal elections and the General Assembly hasn't passed conforming legislation for state and local elections, some fear Edgar's reaction means a dual system. "The potential for confusion is great," said State Board of Elections Executive Director Ron Michaelson. "If someone registers at a public aid office, they will not be able to vote in all elections." Enabling legislation is required, according to Peoria County Clerk Mary Harkrader, president of the National Association of County Recorders, Election Officials and Clerks. "If the state decides to comply with motor voter only for federal elections, they'll create a costly, confusing dual system," Harkrader said. "They'd create a nightmare."

Current Illinois law permits voter registration in county courthouses and city boards of elections; precinct committeemen and deputy registrars can register citizens at various sites; and forms are available at driver's license facilities. However, motor voter supporters say that the new law is more efficient and aggressive in registering new voters.

David Orr, who was active in the passage of the federal law in 1993, has been joined by House and Senate Democratic leaders in calling for a special session of the General Assembly to enact motor voter legislation.

Advocates say motor voter is like the Voting Rights Act of 1965, making it easier for anyone to participate in democracy. "The 1996 electorate will be larger, more diverse and more reflective of the American people," said Becky Cain, president of the U.S. League of Women Voters, a motor voter supporter and co-plaintiff in the federal lawsuit against Illinois. "Politicians everywhere should take note. This is an opportunity to reach out."

Motor voter has been implemented in

8/July 1995/Illinois Issues

32 states and the District of Columbia. Four other states are exempt because of existing motor voter-style systems, and both California and Pennsylvania are implementing the law after losing court fights. Elsewhere, the law continues to face delays.

In Springfield, the State Board of Elections voted unanimously in December not to implement motor voter, and Republican lawmakers hoped for a repeal of the law by a GOP-controlled Congress. Five such bills were introduced, but none passed. Then in January the U.S. Justice Department sued California, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

"How difficult is it to hand out a form when somebody stops by a government office?" U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno remarked. "It's one-stop shopping; government that makes sense. This is a common-sense law that already is making voting "more available to all Americans." The department first prevailed in March when U.S. District Judge Milton I. Shadur ordered the state to comply with the law, but Illinois resisted and appealed.

Orr, whose county is the second biggest in the nation, says he's uncomfortable with Edgar's actions. "Illinois is standing out like a sore thumb," Orr said. "It shouldn't be this way. Many Republicans support motor voter." In fact, an Associated Press survey shows the GOP making voter registration gains in the South under motor voter. And Yvonne Smith of the State Board of Elections recalled that an earlier version of motor voter, eventually vetoed by President George Bush, had Republican Newt Gingrich as a co-sponsor.

But in 1995 motor voter has become a partisan issue, most agree. Despite the politics, Harkrader believes most local officials accept inevitable implementation and are ready to proceed. "Coast to coast where it's implemented, my colleagues are pleased, very impressed."

There's plenty of work to do. U.S. Census figures show that some 28 percent of Illinoisans who are eligible to vote — more than 2.5 million people — remain unregistered. *

Bill Knight is a journalist who teaches at Western Illinois University, Macomb.

The rest of the story:
A reader update on legislative issues

Everyone knew Republicans would control the show. A key question, though, was whether regional differences among GOP lawmakers would hamper the party's agenda. Tensions did surface. When a bill capping down-state property taxes got out of committee, for example, downstate Republican Rep. Bill Black threatened to resign from the suburban-dominated leadership. But other GOP proposals didn't suffer.

Though the GOP agenda in the northern part of the state may not play as well elsewhere. Black said, "Regionalism was probably not as much a problem as some people thought it would be."

Here's a recap — and a look ahead — at some legislative topics Illinois Issues reported on during this session:

Welfare. In January it looked as though Republicans might have to reconcile some regional divisions when it came to reforming welfare (see January, page 21). In the end, geographical differences didn't translate into philosophical ones, and Republican lawmakers pushed through a dramatic series of reforms. They phased out Aid to Families with Dependent Children grants by January 1, 1999. They approved legislation requiring parents with children 5 to 12 years old to search for jobs, and requiring AFDC parents under 18 to live with a parent or another adult. They ended increases in grants to mothers who have additional children.

Such wide-ranging reforms have left welfare advocates with a full plate, said Sharron Matthews of the Public Welfare Coalition. She said her group will lobby for more job training programs, day care and transportation assistance.

Gambling. Racetrack owners were the only gambling interests to emerge smiling from this session. Gov. Jim Edgar signed a measure intended to help the horse racing industry survive riverboat casino competition. Under the new law, local tracks may televise and take bets on races from all over the world. The extra betting could boost prize money in Illinois by nearly $40 million a year. Fourteen additional off-track betting parlors can be built in Illinois and taxes on wagers on races at Arlington International Racecourse would be restructured to give $5 million over the next two years to owner Richard Duchossois. (For background on racing, see April, page 22; May, page 16; and June, page 18).

Medicaid. Lawmakers made cutting the $1.3 billion Medicaid deficit a priority, slicing $209 million from the governor's proposed budget. Nearly $80 million would come from cuts in medical services like dental, podiatric and chiropractic care for the poor. Lawmakers also cut the controversial "sick tax" on healthcare providers. That means hospitals and nursing homes serving the poor will get less. Black said it was difficult for some downstate Republicans to agree to the plan because hospitals in their districts will suffer. (For background on Medicaid, see April, page 12).

Workers comp. GOP hopes for overhauling the workers comp system were dashed when advocates said the changes might not save business owners money. Black said such reforms may not fare any better next year, since Republican lawmakers with large labor constituencies will face re-election, but "changes will come eventually." (For information on workers comp, see April, page 17).

In coming months, one issue sure to ignite regional divisions is the debate over revising the funding formula for public schools. House Speaker Lee Daniels of Elmhurst has been pondering a referendum on the controversial and complex subject. The challenge will be finding a solution that appeals to his own surburban constituents as well as Chicagoans and downstaters. It will be worth trying, though. As Daniels' spokesman Mike Cys put it: "The system sucks and we've got to change it." Jennifer Halperin