Gov. Pritzker approved altered legislation maps on June 4. | File Photo
Gov. Pritzker approved altered legislation maps on June 4. | File Photo
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed new legislation on Friday to approve altered legislative maps on June 4. The maps were approved by Democrats along partisan lines. Opposition came from Republicans and also community advocacy organizations.
The new maps will take effect in 2023.
"Today, Governor Pritzker completely broke his promise to the people of Illinois by his decision to sign partisan maps drawn by politicians" said State Senator Win Stoller in a post to his Facebook account on June 4. "By signing this map, the Governor has turned his back on over 50 leading government reform and minority advocacy groups as well as 75 percent of Illinois voters who strongly support an independent redistricting process."
Other Republicans echoed these criticisms on the floor of the legislature.
“We have consistently said that the maps need to follow all the guidelines, the Voting Rights Act, any precedent set in law, whether that's the congressional maps or the legislative maps” said State Representative Tim Butler (R-Springfield). “Maps are litigated, and I'm sure these are going to be litigated, especially with the fact that we're using data that is incomplete, that does not adequately represent the people of Illinois.”
Republicans also criticized Pritzker for signing the bill a day after saying he was undecided.
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