Illinois State Representative Ryan Spain announced on April 28 that he voted against House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 28, a measure introduced by Democrats to change the standards for drawing legislative maps in Illinois. The amendment passed the Illinois House with a vote of 74-38 and now moves to the State Senate, where it is expected to be considered before May 3 for possible placement on the November General Election ballot.
The proposed amendment would alter long-standing criteria in the Illinois Constitution regarding legislative map drawing. Under current law, districts must be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. The new proposal creates a ranked list of five priorities: substantial equality in population; protection against racial discrimination; creation of racial coalition or influence districts where practical; contiguity; and compactness only ‘to the extent practicable.’ Compactness is moved to last place among these priorities.
Spain said, “Illinois Democrats will stop at nothing to preserve their corrupt political power. This Amendment will disenfranchise voters for decades to come and solidify our state as the gerrymandering capital of America.” House Republicans argue that this change would weaken requirements for compactness in district maps and point out their lawsuit from last year alleging violations of this standard in over forty percent of state House districts.
Spain was first elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 73rd District in 2017, succeeding David R. Leitch according to Ballotpedia.
In addition to his legislative work, Spain hosted Bradford Village President Sharon Cauthon at this year’s Women to Watch Conference held April 22 in Springfield. The event brought together women leaders from across Illinois for networking opportunities, panel discussions, tours of government facilities, committee hearings observation, and social events. Spain described Cauthon as “an outstanding local elected official and a great example of local leadership in the 73rd District.”
Spain also recently welcomed students from Princeton Christian Academy during their visit to the Illinois House Floor.
