Illinois lawmakers are weighing boosting voter turnout by consolidating elections and considering compulsory voting. During a subject matter hearing of the House Ethics and Elections Committee, Miles Rapoport of the University of Chicago testified that countries such as Australia have seen turnout jump from 60% to more than 90% after implementing compulsory voting in 1924.

Republican contenders continue to add their names to the list of candidates who wish to defeat Gov. JB Pritzker and become Illinois' next governor.

As the Trump administration demands that states turn over voter data, some Republican state officials are pushing back.

Some state Democratic lawmakers believe that Illinois should be the first state in the country to require voting for all eligible residents.