Peoria Standard

As Illinois state lawmakers work to redraw district maps, House and Senate Republicans are calling for reforms that they believe will make the process fairer 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. 

Republicans are the minority party in the House and Senate. 

"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," Illinois state Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) 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 who 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 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, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. "We look forward to a robust and thorough discussion."

While 23 meetings have been scheduled, the Republican-backed bill would require the commission to have at least 10 public hearings throughout the state, with a minimum of four 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 partisan map.

The legislation awaits approval from the Assignments Committee.