McHenry Times

Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) is touting Republican-backed legislation as a measure designed to “returning the power to the people” for legislative redistricting.

“Every Illinoisans deserves to be represented in our democracy, and an independent map for the people by the people and not for politicians by politicians is the way to do that,” McConchie said at a recent press conference. “This legislation will give the Supreme Court the power to appoint 16 independent citizen commissioners to an independent redistricting commission with 30 days of passage. The act is about ensuring the people of state government keep their promise to the people about creating an independent map.”

The People’s Independent Maps Act comes as lawmakers’ battle over map redistricting. With Census Bureau data used to draw the maps not expected to be available before a June 30 deadline, both Republicans are trying to have more of a say in the process that typically favors the party with the legislative majority — in this case, Democrats.

“What we’ve learned so far is that it appears we will use incomplete census data based on the American community survey data and not on the census data that has always been used up until this time,” McConchie said. “The excuse we’re being given is that the census data is being delayed because of COVID. However, there is another way to do it that embraces what the vast majority of people across this state have indicated that the support — independent fair maps, a manner that actually returns the power to the people.”

McConchie called attention to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, having previously vowed that he would not sign a map created by politicians.

“Unfortunately, what we’ve seen by the Democrats is hedging on their part when it comes to putting that process in place, and Illinois does not need another broken promise,” he said. “We have a real opportunity to move this state forward into the future and out of the corruption and mismanagement that has been swirling around us for so long.”