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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING THE SIGNING OF HOUSE BILL 4339 AND COMMEMORATING THE REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON SR. YOUNG VOTER EMPOWERMENT DAY AND SOCIAL FAIR
WHEREAS, the right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, and the strength of our nation depends upon an informed, engaged, and empowered electorate; and
WHEREAS, young people ages 18-24—particularly those from Black, Brown, underserved, and historically underrepresented communities—must be provided meaningful opportunities to understand their civic responsibilities, register to vote, and participate in the democratic process; and
WHEREAS, throughout his extraordinary life of service, the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. worked tirelessly to expand voting rights, protect equal access to the ballot, empower marginalized communities, and inspire generations of young people to become active participants in our democracy; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Jackson has long and emphatically expressed the vision that every graduating senior should leave high school with a diploma in one hand and a voter-registration card in the other, affirming that civic empowerment must be an essential part of preparing young people for adulthood; and
WHEREAS, this vision inspired the advancement of Senate Bill 1786 and House Bill 4339 through the Illinois General Assembly, with State Senator Robert Peters championing the measure in the Illinois Senate and State Representative Kimberly Du Buclet leading its passage in the Illinois House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 4339 was enacted as the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law, requiring, beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, school districts serving students in grades nine through twelve to provide every eligible graduating high school student with an opportunity to register to vote; and
WHEREAS, on July 10, 2026, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4339 into law as Public Act 104-0549, transforming Reverend Jackson’s vision into a...
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