Illinois2026Active
HB0034
HB0034: No Firearms in Polling Places
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 10:00 AM
In one sentence
This bill makes it a Class C misdemeanor for anyone except peace officers on official duty to carry or possess a firearm while present in an Illinois polling place.
What it does
- Adds Section 29-25 to the Election Code (10 ILCS 5).
- Makes carrying or possessing a firearm inside a polling place illegal for most people.
- Allows peace officers to carry firearms while performing their official duties at polls.
- Sets the penalty for breaking this rule as a Class C misdemeanor.
Who it affects
- People who are present in Illinois polling places with a firearm.
- Peace officers working at election sites.
Limits and unknowns
- The provided text does not include an effective date.
- The official status shows the bill passed both chambers, but a recent action on March 27, 2026, indicates it was re-referred to the Rules Committee.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Polling place
- A location where people go to cast their votes, as referenced by the Election Code amendment.
- Peace officer
- Law enforcement personnel who are allowed to carry firearms while performing official duties at polls.
- Class C misdemeanor
- The specific type of criminal offense defined in the bill for violating this rule.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
ELEC CD-FIREARMS POLLING PLACE