Peoria Standard

State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) recently took to Facebook to commend the efforts of Jan Weber, the chair of the 17th Congressional District State Central Committee, for helping voters understand the new districts.

"When the mapmakers did their gerrymandering behind closed doors, I don’t think they understood about the determination of Jan Weber," Spain posted. "She made a map showing the new districts in the county and takes it  around to events to teach voters about their districts. Held together on the back with name-tags and patriotic persistence, you can't keep good Republicans down," Spain wrote.

Spain’s comments came following a petition-signing event hosted by the Henry County IL GOP at the Geneseo Brewing Co. He also went to Happy Joe’s in Morrison for the Whiteside County Republican meeting.

Spain has frequently spoken out about the re-districting process. According to the Peoria Standard, Spain in September said the U.S. Census Bureau data showed that the maps were unconstitutional, both federally and for the state. Also last summer he criticized Democrats for blocking independent re-districting through a Facebook post.

Last month Spain announced that he is seeking re-election in the 73rd State House District, according to Central Illinois Proud. The district includes his hometown of Peoria as well as the counties of Bureau, Henry, Lee, Marshall, Rock Island, Stark, Whiteside and Woodford. Spain has been in office representing the 73rd district since 2017.

“While my representation may be new to many voters in this district due to the new gerrymandered map boundaries drawn behind closed doors by Democrat politicians through a corrupt process which I led the charge against, I look forward to introducing myself and earning the support of voters who yearn to put Illinois on a better track,” Spain said.