Peoria Standard

Another decade, another war between state Republicans and Democrats over whether the current redistricting process is fair. 

With a long-standing reputation of gerrymandering in Illinois, Republican lawmakers say it's time the state introduced an independent redistricting commission and take the power out of a statehouse that has been historically corrupt. 

"A fair map means we're going to have more balance in the General Assembly," Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) said. "We're going to have more balance demographically, and we're probably going to have more balance when it comes to Republicans and Democrats. Having a super-majority of one party over the other does not lead to good legislation and having a fair map keeps corruption at bay."

Corruption is an unfortunate trend for Illinois. Former Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) is under federal investigation for dealings with the electric utility ComEd, which is the company that former House Speaker Michael Madigan was involved in in his own scandal. 

In October, former state Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago) resigned after he was charged with bribing another lawmaker to push gaming legislation that benefited one of his lobbying clients. Just a few months prior, Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) pleaded not guilty to federal embezzlement accusations and siphoning over $250,000 in salary and benefits from a Teamsters ghost job.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has also done his part this year to make sure Democratic lawmakers can continue to control redistricting. Despite promising during his campaign to veto any partisan map, he announced last week that he changed his mind and trusts lawmakers to create something fair.