ACCESSIBLE VOTING TECHNOLOGY Senate SponsorsSen. John J. Cullerton and Mattie Hunter House Sponsors(Rep. Mike Boland-Constance A. Howard-Jim Watson) 1/11/2005SenateSession Sine Die New ActCreates the Accessible Voting Technology for the Blind Act of 2004. Requires that the State Board of Elections ensure that the voting technology and systems throughout the State provide blind and visually impaired voters access and privacy equivalent to that provided to other voters. Applies to equipment and technology as it is procured, upgraded, or replaced. Grants injunctive relief to a person injured by a violation of the Act. Effective immediately.Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Removes from the definition of "access" the ability to determine spellings and to control the speed of synthesized speech. Requires that technology and systems purchased after the bill's effective date comply with specified Federal Elections Commission standards. Requires the State Board of Elections to make necessary rules and requires that those rules comport with the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 and that recommendations of blind consumers be considered. Removes the right to seek injunctive relief for injuries under the Act. 2/3/2004SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. John J. Cullerton 2/3/2004SenateFirst Reading 2/3/2004SenateReferred to Rules 2/10/2004SenateAssigned to Local Government 2/19/2004SenateDo Pass Local Government; 007-000-000 2/19/2004SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 20, 2004 2/20/2004SenateSecond Reading 2/20/2004SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading February 24, 2004 2/20/2004SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. John J. Cullerton 2/20/2004SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules 3/23/2004SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Local Government 3/24/2004SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Be Approved for Consideration Local Government; 007-000-000 3/25/2004SenateRecalled to Second Reading 3/25/2004SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Cullerton 3/25/2004SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading 3/25/2004SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter 3/25/2004SenateThird Reading - Passed; 056-000-000 3/26/2004HouseArrived in House 3/26/2004HousePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading 3/29/2004HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Mike Boland 3/29/2004HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Constance A. Howard 3/29/2004HouseFirst Reading 3/29/2004HouseReferred to Rules Committee 4/29/2004HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jim Watson 1/11/2005SenateSession Sine Die