Prairie State Wire

Ryan Spain, House Rep. of Illinois House of Representatives, Illinois General Assembly, emphasized the importance of safe and secure elections during a subject matter hearing on election security held by the House Ethics and Elections Committee on Oct. 18. 

Spain commended the experts who have been working tirelessly to ensure the security of elections and promote voter participation. He particularly highlighted the Election Security Grant Program, which provides funding for counties to address their unique local needs in securing elections.

Spain acknowledged the bipartisan nature of the issue, stating, "Having safe and secure elections is very much a bipartisan issue. I appreciate having this hearing today." He recognized the challenges of funding in the General Assembly but expressed support for allocating funds for grants that can assist counties in enhancing their election security measures.

In addition to Spain's remarks, several factoids provide further context. Ryan Spain has been representing the 73rd District since 2017 and has a background in public service, having previously served on the Peoria City Council. It is worth noting that in 2016, Russian hackers infiltrated the Illinois State Board of Elections and accessed approximately 500,000 personal voter records. This incident underscores the significance of prioritizing election security.

Furthermore, last month, residents raised concerns about the upcoming election and the implementation of a new law effective from Jan. 1. These concerns were addressed by Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman, who was also present at the House Ethics and Elections Committee hearing on Oct. 18. The community's inquiries highlight the public's interest in ensuring the safeguarding of elections.

As the election season continues, the focus on election security remains a crucial aspect of the democratic process. The bipartisan support for secure elections, as emphasized by Ryan Spain, reflects the commitment of lawmakers to protect the integrity of the voting system and promote voter confidence.