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HB0020

Rules for Filling U.S. Senate Vacancies in Illinois

Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 10:00 AM

In one sentence

This law requires that if a U.S. Senator from Illinois leaves office, the Governor must appoint someone who belongs to the same political party as the person leaving.

Requires any person appointed to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy in Illinois to be affiliated with the same political party as the senator vacating the seat if that senator was elected as a member of an established political party still in existence at the time of appointment.
States that appointees must prove their party affiliation by showing they voted in past party primary elections or held office within a party organization before being appointed.
Amends Section 25-8 of the Illinois Election Code to include these new requirements.

The Governor of Illinois when making temporary appointments for U.S. Senate vacancies.
People who are considered or chosen to fill a vacant seat in the United States Senate from Illinois.
Political parties that have members elected as U.S. Senators.

The law does not explain what happens if no qualified person from the same party is available for appointment.
The text defines how affiliation is proven but does not list specific documents required to show voting records or past office holding.
This bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law, so there is no future start date listed.

Plain language

Vacancy: An empty job position, such as when a Senator leaves office before their term ends.
Established political party: A recognized group of people who share similar views and run candidates for election under the same name, as defined by Section 10-2 of the Election Code.
Primary elections: Special votes held by a political party to choose which candidate will represent them in the main general election.

Official record

Source attached

ELECTIONS-SENATE VACANCY-PARTY