McHenry Times

Even with objections from Republican lawmakers, community advocacy groups and government reform organizations who asked to hold off on finalizing district maps until official data from the U.S. Census bureau was received, Illinois' new Democrat-approved legislative maps have become law.

Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) signed the legislation earlier this month just one week after his Democratic colleagues pushed the bill through the General Assembly. The move drew criticism from elected leaders on the other side of the aisle who said the maps were drawn based on "guesses and estimates" from American Community Survey data and felt the work of volunteers and interest groups who sought to make the map making process "accurate and inclusive" was ignored.

"To make matters worse, the new district boundaries look like a Picasso painting, with borders angled in such ways to intentionally help certain politicians, and not the voters they are supposed to represent," Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) told the McHenry Times. 

Illinois Newsroom reported House GOP Leader Jim Durkin said Pritzker broke his promise even though the day before signing the bill, told the media he was "undecided."

"It's obvious that an independent commission and not a group of self-interested politicians is required to get anything resembling a balanced or fair map. How about we try that? Really, is that too much to ask for and expect? I don't think it is," McLaughlin said. 

McLaughlin said some of the boundaries were moved just a few blocks from the previous district lines in an attempt to force Republican legislators in the same district, which will force them to run against each other during the primaries. 

"One-party rule is never helpful for anyone. It doesn't matter if it's Democrat or Republican," McLaughlin said. "This map is structured to assure one-party rule in Illinois for many years to come – in the legislature and now in the courts as well."

McLaughlin told the McHenry Times some legal challenges have already been filed in the courts. He hopes voters will show their outrage to "this blatant power grab" come time for elections. 

As it stands right now, the new maps will take effect in 2023, according to Illinois Newsroom.

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) called the maps a "win" for the residents of Illinois.