Deputy Minority Leader Ryan Spain, along with Representatives Dan Ugaste and Amy Elik, criticized a new constitutional amendment proposal from Illinois Democrats on Apr. 21, arguing it would weaken existing standards for legislative map drawing and make partisan gerrymandering easier.
The issue is significant because legislative maps determine how political power is distributed across the state. Changes to the process can affect which communities are represented and how fairly elections are conducted.
Spain said, “In furtherance of their endless appetite for absolute power, Speaker Chris Welch and Illinois Democrats aim to enshrine what they once claimed was defect into future design.” The amendment in question was filed by Speaker Chris Welch as House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 28. According to Spain, the proposal responds to concerns over a U.S. Supreme Court case, Louisiana v. Callais.
Ugaste added that Democrats are trying “to standardize what was once described as anomaly,” referencing Illinois’ low rating for its legislative maps by the Princeton Gerrymandering Project. “Democrats are working to standardize what was once described as anomaly, and, in doing so, aim to make permanent in our State Constitution not best practice, but rather the worst practice in the country,” Ugaste said.
Elik criticized closed-door negotiations and alleged that Democratic leaders prioritize their own interests over those of Illinois residents. She said: “Closed door deals. Partisan district lines. Communities split apart for political gain. Politicians hand picking their voters. And now, an attempt to change our State Constitution to make it even easier.”
Currently, maps must be compact, contiguous and substantially equal in population under the Illinois Constitution. The proposed amendment would instead establish five ranked criteria: (1) districts must be substantially equal in population; (2) ensure no citizen is denied equal opportunity due to race; (3) create racial coalition or influence districts where practical; (4) contiguity; (5) compactness—now qualified as only necessary when practicable.
Republicans argue this move weakens requirements such as compactness—a point raised by a lawsuit last year alleging violations of this standard in dozens of districts—and could entrench partisan advantage further.
Spain has served as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 73rd House District since his election in 2017 after replacing David R. Leitch according to Ballotpedia.
House Republicans urged residents concerned about these changes to contact their representatives or sign a petition at RedoRemap.com opposing HJRCA 28.
