Grundy Reporter

Illinois House Democrats have withdrawn behind closed doors at the state capitol to review potential legislative district maps.

The public has yet to see the new maps, and Democrats have been tight-lipped about releasing details, but anonymous sources revealed to WCIA News that lawmakers were meeting to review early drafts of the legislative district maps. 

Illinois Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) took to Facebook to speak out against the lack of transparency in the process.

"Throughout the redistricting hearings, we heard over and over again how the people wanted more transparency in the process," Rezin wrote in a May 10 Facebook post. "Meanwhile, Democrats have been meeting behind closed doors to review secret drafts of the map. As I recently said on Flannery Fired Up, this is NOT transparency. The people should pick their elected officials, instead of having their elected officials pick them behind closed doors."

In responding to the concerns, Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Westchester) spokeswoman Jaclyn Driscoll said in a statement to WCIA that "... the room we’re talking to members in is actually the same we met in 10 years ago. This is and will remain a transparent process.”

Lawmakers typically use population data from the U.S. Census Bureau to inform the mapmaking process, but that data has been significantly delayed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Illinois constitution states that lawmakers and the governor have until June 30 to approve a map. If that deadline is missed, an eight-member bipartisan commission must be formed with four members from each party to finish redrawing the districts by Aug. 10.

The speaker’s office has said that the public will have a chance to review the proposed district maps and provide input before the maps are finalized.