Prairie State Wire

Change Illinois Executive Director Madeline Doubek says her organization plans to do what it always does when it comes to map redistricting time.

“We long have advocated for an independent transparent redistricting process,” Doubek recently testified before a House Redistricting Committee holding a hearing on the issue. “I just want to point out that while it is commendable more hearings than ever are being held, simply holding hearings are not enough. There needs to be a much greater, robust outreach to communities across the state to give people ample time to plan to attend these hearings.”

Doubek says the stakes are high as lawmakers take on the once-every-decade task of map redrawing for the state. And the ante has only been raised by a delay in data from the Census Bureau that's usually used as part of the decision-making process.

“Lawmakers have presented us options that are confounding and will not guarantee a fair process or equitable maps,” Doubek added. “The options either risk our democracy to the minimum of a random draw or allow for maps to be pushed through by the majority using ACS data that again was never intended for map drawing.”

Typically the task of map redrawing is left in the hands of the party in power but with this year’s added wrinkles, Republican lawmakers are pushing for changes to the entire system that they contend will make for a fairer process.

A growing number of GOP legislators are now pushing the People’s Independent Maps Act, a measure that would give the state Supreme Court the power to appoint 16 independent citizens to a redistricting commission within 30 days of passage. The members would be equally split politically.

“We need to ensure that the maps produced prioritize federal and state Voting Rights Acts and protect the community of interest,” Doubek added. “You’re hearing today the people of Illinois want lawmakers to make it clear in state law that the districts were created without prioritizing incumbents or candidates from either party”