Illinois Valley Times

With Illinois legislators currently considering how to divide up the state’s voters among their legislative districts, Republican lawmakers proposed legislation in March that would take the process out of politicians' hands.

State Senate Republican Deputy Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris) took to Facebook to promote the legislation.

“The People’s Independent Maps Act, Senate Bill 1325, is about ensuring that our legislative maps are not drawn by politicians who benefit directly from unfair maps,” Rezin said on April 8. “An identical version of this legislation was introduced as a constitutional amendment just last year and garnered the support of 18 Senate Democrats and all Republicans.”

Senate Bill 1325 would direct the state Supreme Court to appoint 16 members to a maps commission required to reflect the ethnic, gender and racial demographics of the state. 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.