What advisory questions are on the ballot and what do they mean?

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — When you fill out your ballot for the November election, you'll see three advisory questions listed with the option to select "yes" or "no." Unlike other ballot choices, the questions won't lead to a candidate being elected, or a new law going into effect.

"They're simply trying to gauge the public's opinion on this specific question," said Matt Dietrich, a spokesperson with the Illinois State Board of Elections. "They don't have any binding legal effect, but what they can do is the general assembly can use those as sort of a barometer for what the public wants on a certain issue, and they could lead later to legislation related to those questions."

These are the questions that will be at the top of your ballot this year:

ELECTION WORKER PROTECTION AND CANDIDATE ACCOUNTABILITY REFERENDUM: "Should any candidate appearing on the Illinois ballot for federal, State, or local office be subject to civil penalties if the candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with an election worker's official duties?"

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND FAIRNESS REFERENDUM: "Should the Illinois Constitution be amended to create an additional 3% tax on income greater than $1,000,000 for the purpose of dedicating funds raised to property tax relief?"

ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH REFERENDUM: "Should all medically appropriate assisted reproductive treatments, including, but not limited to, in vitro fertilization, be covered by any health insurance plan in Illinois that provides coverage for pregnancy benefits, without limitation on the number of treatments?"

Dietrich recommends researching topics on the ballot in advance, as election officials can't help you understand them while you are filling out the ballot. Sample Ballots for the election are available at your county clerk's website.

"There's no guarantee that an overwhelming response will definitely lead to legislation, although more times than not, it will," said Dietrich. "For things like, I believe raising the minimum wage was one where we saw an advisory question first, prior to legislation. There have been a few others in the past."