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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

Illinois Voters To Consider Employer Birth Control Coverage

WNIJ

A question on the November ballot will ask Illinois voters if insurers should be required to cover birth control as part of their prescription coverage. 

Credit WNIJ

Governor Pat Quinn signed the ballot measure over the weekend.  

Voters will get to weigh in, but Illinois law won't change whatever the result of the referendum; it's non-binding.

Still, Kim Foxx, the chair of Planned Parenthood of Illinois' board, says it will give legislators a tool to fight any possible attempts to eliminate coverage of contraception.

"We hope the referendum gives the women and men of Illinois the voice to say 'enough. Birth control is basic health care.' "

Foxx says it's important for Illinois to think ahead, in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling that allows some private companies to not cover birth control, if it goes against owners' religious beliefs.

Illinois has required prescription plans include birth control coverage for a decade.

Critics say the Democratic-led initiative is an attempt to boost their candidates in what's expected to be a close election.

Copyright 2014 WNIJ Northern Public Radio