With less than three weeks until the Nov. 3 general election, Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega and State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart want people to know the proper and improper ways to encourage voting.
Vega said it is a good idea to remind people about election law before they offer an inappropriate incentive to voters. Following the law can keep someone from becoming a felon.
“It’s always a good idea to let the people know the dos and don’ts when it comes to election law,” Vega said. “It’s always a good idea to get people out to vote, but we want them to limit their operation within the scope of the law.”
Rinehart and Vega issued their missive Monday in Waukegan, warning people what they must not do and the consequences of offering voters inappropriate incentives to vote for or against a particular candidate or referendum.
Vega said during the 2025 municipal elections there were multiple reports of incidents in the Waukegan and Round Lake areas offering incentives which were unlawful. He did not know if people making the offers knew they were wrong.
Encouraging people to vote their conscience is appropriate and welcome. But, in some situations, Vega said restaurants or bars offered a free drink, meal or discount upon the presentation of an “I voted” sticker, or a receipt showing an individual cast their ballot.
“You could tell from the signs on the property who they supported,” Vega said.
Though Rinehart said in a text Tuesday that no irregularities have been reported to date this election cycle, he and Vega thought the time was right to give voters and people engaged with campaigns a reminder of actions which could be deemed improper.
People are already voting by mail and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays at the Lake County Courthouse & Administration Building in downtown Waukegan. Early voting expands to 17 more locations Monday. Details are available on the Lake County Clerk’s website.
“Many of us view voting as our civic duty and a fantastic thing to do,” Rinehart said. “But we can only thank people with our words or a handshake. Under the law, people cannot provide incentives to others for voting — before or after the voting occurs.”
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Under Illinois law, it is a felony to “knowingly give, lend or promise to give anything of value to influence a person to vote for or against any candidate or public question.” Under federal law, it is illegal to “make, offer or accept an expenditure or payment to vote for or against a specific candidate.”
Both Vega and Rinehart encourage people involved with campaigns to persuade voters to select a particular candidate to communicate with an attorney to ensure their efforts comport with the law. Formal complaints will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for review.
“Election laws establish important safeguards, and compliance with those laws is essential to maintaining the integrity of our elections,” Rinehart said in the release. “We encourage any business or organization planning voter engagement efforts to understand those laws.”
In September, President Donald Trump pledged $5,000 to every American adult if the Republicans retained control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in the Nov. 3 election during the party’s midterm convention in Dallas.
“If the Republicans win, you win with us, and you get $5,000,” Trump said at the time. “It will be called the ‘Trump dividend.’”
Rinehart said he had no comment about what Trump said in September.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.