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Tri States Public Radio and NPR News will provide you with updated stories from all of our local and national elections between now and November. The NPR News element below will be updated constantly, and will sometimes provide live coverage and audio from important events leading up to the November elections. You can find all of our local coverage after the jump.Election 2012 News From NPR

Constitutional Amendments on Illinois Ballots

At least two constitutional amendments will be on ballots across Illinois this November.

Voters will be asked whether voting rights should be protected regardless of race, sexual orientation, or other factors.

They will also be asked whether crime victims should be able to sue to enforce their existing rights in the Illinois Constitution.

That measure is sponsored by Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago).  She said that without the ability to go to court, victims' rights are not that strong.

“We can't always stop violence or erase the pain we know that it causes to victims,” Steans said.

“But we can make sure, at least today, that their dignity and respect is honored during the criminal justice project.”

There could yet be additional constitutional amendments before voters this fall.  One would change the way legislative districts are drawn; another would impose term limits on state politicians.

Brian Mackey covers Illinois state government and politics from the WUIS Statehouse bureau. He was previously A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. He can be reached at (217) 206-6020.