Grundy Reporter

As politicians in Springfield engage in talks about how to divide Illinois’ voters among themselves, Republican lawmakers proposed scrapping the current redistricting process in favor of a citizen-driven independent commission.

State Senate Republican Deputy Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris) promoted the GOP-backed People’s Independent Maps Act on Facebook. Proponents say it would provide transparency and fairness.

“Over the past several weeks, we have listened and participated in redistricting hearings where we heard witnesses who testified over and over again on the lack of transparency and communication in this redistricting process,” Rezin said. “It is our hope that we can move this legislation through and give the people of Illinois a truly fair map.”

Senate Bill 1325 is similar to a previously proposed constitutional amendment that had strong bipartisan support in the state Senate, Rezin said. 

The Republican proposal would direct the state Supreme Court to appoint 16 members to a maps commission that would reflect Illinois' ethnic, gender and racial demographics. It would also require even splits of party affiliation along with independents. 

Under the proposed law, each of the state's leading parties during the previous election for governor would have seven members, with the remaining two commissioners appointed from among independents. 

As part of removing the commission as far as possible from politicians' hands, the members would also be required not to have recently served in any elected or appointed state, federal or local government position, with the same being applied to any immediate family members.