McHenry Times

Illinois' Republican House and Senate lawmakers collaborated efforts March 30 to introduce the People's Independent Maps Act — a proposal that allows legislative redistricting maps to be decided by an independent commission. 

The proposal would allow a 16-person advisory committee that the state Supreme Court would appoint. Every 10 years redrawing legislative and congressional districts' boundaries is done, and Republicans say it is unfair not having an independent committee to determine this redistricting.

"Every Illinoisan deserves to be represented in our democracy and an independent map drawn by the people for the people; not by the politicians for the politicians is the best way to make their voices heard," Sen. Don Dewitte (R-West Dundee) said in a Facebook post. "For too long, the people of Illinois have been deprived of this right, that's why we have filed SB 1325, the People's Independent Maps Act."

Another Republican lawmaker mentioned that the majority of residents are in favor of an independent commission.

"We're talking about giving the people what they want," Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorne Woods) said. "More than 75% of people want independent maps and using real data. We're not using fake survey data in order to reach a partisan end."

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) pointed out the bipartisan support from lawmakers in both the House and Senate.

"Democrats want this. Republicans want this," Butler said, WSILTV reported. "The only people who are holding this up are a handful of people who want to draw the maps in the backrooms so that people don't see it."

Public hearings would be required before the map could be approved. Political leaders would be prohibited from serving on the commission.

Republicans have reiterated that Gov. G.B. Pritzker has supported independent redistricting and has said in the past that he will veto any maps that have been approved by lawmakers that aren't fair.

The bill is waiting on approval from the Assignments Committee.