Yes, Election Day is a state holiday in Illinois in even-numbered general election years, but the label does less than it sounds like it does. Public K-12 schools close, most state government offices close, and every eligible voter gets up to two hours of paid leave from work to cast a ballot. Private employers, federal offices, banks, and many local government offices operate on their normal schedule. The next general Election Day is November 3, 2026.
What the Holiday Designation Actually Closes
The Illinois Secretary of State lists Election Day among the observed state holidays for even-numbered years, falling on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.1Illinois Secretary of State. State Holidays That closes state government offices, including Secretary of State Driver Services facilities. If you were planning a license renewal that week, pick another day.
K-12 public schools close as well. The School Code lists Election Day as a legal school holiday, and teachers and school employees receive their regular pay with no deduction.2Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Code 105 ILCS 5/24-2 – Holidays The closure exists largely so school buildings are available as polling places. Universities and community colleges are treated separately: employees covered by the State Universities Civil Service Act get the paid day off, but campuses themselves may stay open for classes.
Local government is where the designation stops carrying weight. After the Illinois Municipal League challenged the closure requirement in Sangamon County Circuit Court, Judge Raylene Grischow found the statute ambiguous, pointing out that “state holiday” and “legal school holiday” aren’t interchangeable terms. The court concluded the law was aimed at freeing up schools for polling, not at shutting every government office. Municipalities and other local units are not required to close. Some county offices choose to; others stay open for essential services.
Private businesses face no closure obligation at all. Most Illinois employers treat Election Day as a regular workday, with one requirement layered on top.
Two Hours of Paid Leave to Vote
Illinois law guarantees every eligible voter up to two hours of paid leave from work to vote on Election Day. It applies to general elections, special elections, and any election with ballot propositions. Your employer cannot dock your pay or penalize you for taking the time.3Justia Law. Illinois Code 10 ILCS 5 Article 17 – Conduct of Elections and Making Returns – Section: 17-15
A few rules shape how the leave works in practice:
- You have to request the time off before Election Day, not the morning of. The statute doesn’t specify how many days in advance, so a written request a few days ahead is the safe course.
- Your employer picks the two-hour window. If your shift starts within two hours of polls opening at 6:00 AM or ends within two hours of polls closing at 7:00 PM, the employer must grant the absence during your working hours.
- An employer cannot fire you, discipline you, or reduce your pay for using the leave.
There is no federal voting-leave law backing this up. The right comes entirely from the Illinois Election Code, so it protects you only for voting in Illinois.
Students who are eligible to vote can also take up to two hours off during the school day, and the absence doesn’t count against enrollment.3Justia Law. Illinois Code 10 ILCS 5 Article 17 – Conduct of Elections and Making Returns – Section: 17-15
Polling Hours and ID
Polling places in Illinois are open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.4Illinois State Board of Elections. Election Day Information If you are in line at 7:00 PM, you are entitled to stay and vote no matter how long the line takes. Step out of line before you vote and you lose that right.
Most voters do not need to show identification. If your registration record matches your current name and address, election judges verify your identity by comparing your signature against the one on file.5Lake County Clerk. Identification for Registration and Voting
Two situations require ID. If you registered by mail and didn’t provide sufficient proof of identity at registration, bring one form of valid ID showing your current name and address. If you are registering for the first time or updating your name or address during the grace period or on Election Day, bring two forms of ID, at least one showing your current residential address.5Lake County Clerk. Identification for Registration and Voting
If your name isn’t on the registration list or an official challenges your eligibility, you can cast a provisional ballot and submit additional registration documentation within seven days.
What Stays Open
Election Day is not a federal holiday. Federal offices are open, mail is delivered, and the Federal Reserve does not observe the day, so banks process transfers and clear checks on their normal schedule.6Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Federal Reserve Bank Holiday Schedule The New York Stock Exchange and the other major financial markets trade normally.7NYSE. Holidays and Trading Hours A specific bank branch in Illinois might close if it follows the state employee calendar, but the underlying financial system keeps running.