Galesburg Reporter

As Illinois state lawmakers work to redraw district maps, House and Senate Republicans are calling for reforms to make the process more fair for residents.

State Republicans are urging for amendments and public review to change the redistricting process and have filed legislation to create an independent commission to handle the mapmaking process, reported WSIL News.

"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," state Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Adams) said in a March 31 Facebook post. "For too long, the people of Illinois have been deprived of this right. That’s why we have filed Senate Bill 1325, the People’s Independent Maps Act."

The State Supreme Court would appoint 16 commission members that would be split evenly in political affiliation and represent the state’s racial, ethnic, and gender demographics. To ensure the independence of the commission, lawmakers, lobbyists, and state employees would be barred from serving on the commission.

"Our legislation is about ensuring that politicians can no longer pick their voters," Tracy said. "It’s about creating fair maps drawn by an independent commission and ensuring that every voter is fairly represented. Our legislation takes the language directly from a proposed Constitutional amendment that garnered wide bipartisan support just last year."

Some critics of the bill accuse Republicans of trying to create a process that would lead to rigged elections in favor of Republicans, reported the Chicago Sun Times.

“I think a fair process starts with public input – not crass political calculations – which is why the House Redistricting Committee has scheduled 23 public hearings across our state to hear from people about what their community looks like to them,” Illinois State Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero) said, according to the Chicago Sun Times. "We look forward to a robust and thorough discussion.”

To provide transparency to residents, the bill would require the commission to have at least 10 public hearings throughout the state, with at least four to be held after a map is proposed.

Republican leaders have said that Gov. J.B. Pritzker supports an independent redistricting process and will veto any unfairly drawn partisan map.

Senate Bill 1325 currently awaits approval from the Assignments Committee.