10 ILCS 5/28-11
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 10 - ELECTIONS|10 ILCS 5/ - Election Code.|Article 28 - Submitting Public Questions

 (from Ch. 46, par. 28-11)Sec. 28-11.   The Board shall design a standard and scientific random  sampling method for the verification of petition signatures for statewide advisory referenda and shall conduct  a public test to prove the validity of its sampling method.  Notice of the  time and place for such test shall be given at least 10 days before the date  on which such test is to be conducted and in the manner prescribed for notice  of regular Board meetings. Signatures on petitions for constitutional amendments initiated pursuant to Article XIV, Section 3 of the Illinois Constitution need not be segregated by election jurisdiction.  The Board shall design an alternative signature verification method for referenda initiated pursuant to Article XIV, Section 3 of the Illinois Constitution.Within 14 business days following the last day for the filing  of the original petition  as prescribed in Section 28-9, the Board shall apply its proven random sampling  method to the petition sheets in each election jurisdiction section for  the purpose of selecting and identifying the petition signatures to be included  in the sample signature verification for the respective jurisdictions and  shall prepare and transmit to each proper election authority a list by page  and line number of the signatures from its election jurisdiction selected  for verification.For each election jurisdiction, the sample verification shall include an  examination of either (a) 10% of the signatures if 5,010 or more signatures  are involved; or (b) 500 signatures if more than 500 but less than 5,010  signatures are involved; or (c) all signatures if 500 or less signatures are involved.Each election authority with whom jurisdictional copies of petition sheets  were filed shall use the proven random sampling method designed and furnished  by the Board for the verification of signatures shown on the list supplied  by the Board and in accordance with the following criteria for determination  of petition signature validity:1. Determine if the person who signed the petition is     a registered voter in that election jurisdiction or was a registered voter therein on the date the petition was signed;2. Determine if the signature of the person who     signed the petition reasonably compares with the signature shown on that person's registration record card.Within 14 business days following receipt from the Board of the  list of signatures  for verification, each election authority shall transmit a properly dated  certificate to the Board which shall indicate; (a) the page and line number  of petition signatures examined, (b) the validity or invalidity of such signatures,  and (c) the reasons for invalidity, based on the criteria heretofore prescribed.  The Board shall prepare and adopt a standard form of certificate for use  by the election authorities which shall be transmitted with the list of  signatures for verification.Upon written request of the election authority that, due to the volume  of signatures in the sample for its jurisdiction, additional time is needed  to properly perform the signature verification, the Board may grant the  election authority additional days to complete the verification and transmit  the certificate of results.  These certificates of random sample verification  results shall be available for public inspection within 24 hours after receipt  by the State Board of Elections.  (Source: P.A. 97-81, eff. 7-5-11.)