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“When you talk about voting, I think it's the bedrock of our
democracy,” Ford told The Center Square.
Ford said about 80 million eligible voters did not cast a ballot
in the 2024 election.
“Lots of politicians across the state visit barber shops, beauty
shops, nail shops and other locations to campaign during
election time. These are concentrated areas that we could
actually work with other professionals to have civic
engagement,” Ford said.
HB 5812 provides that $25 million, “or so much of that amount as
may be necessary,” be appropriated to the Illinois Secretary of
State for grants to Data Foundation Inc. to assist licensees
under the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding and Nail
Technology Act in promoting voter registration and civic
engagement.
When asked if his colleagues in the state legislature might
prefer to see the money spent on education or addressing the
state’s pension liabilities, Ford admitted that $25 million is a
big sum.
“I believe that the more people that we get participating in
voting, it sends a strong message to Washington, D.C. for us to
get more federal dollars back to help our budgets in Illinois.
So voting participation sends a strong message for fighting for
revenue from Washington, D.C. to come back to Illinois,” Ford
told The Center Square.
Ford expressed the hope that his bill would have the “double
impact” of also increasing census participation.
The Chicago Democrat said the program would have guardrails to
protect taxpayer dollars.
“We then have a real fight for more federal dollars. Right now,
Illinois is a donor state,” Ford said.
Ford is running against Republican Chad Koppie for the 7th
District congressional seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Danny
Davis, D-Chicago.
Koppie’s campaign did not immediately respond to The Center
Square’s request for comment.
Ford said it would send a message if Illinois led the nation in
voter participation.
“We then have a real fight for more federal dollars. Right now,
Illinois is a donor state,” Ford said.
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