Illinois Valley Times

Illinois Republicans are trying to reshape how lawmakers handle the redistricting process by removing politicians from the process. 

The legislation is known as the People's Independent Maps Act. If adopted, the historical practice of having the majority party dictate the redistricting process would be turned over to an independent board appointed by the state Supreme Court.  

“The act is about ensuring that those who are in charge of the state government keep their promise to the people of Illinois when it comes to supporting an independent map,” State Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) said, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. “Every Illinoisan deserves to be represented in our democracy, an independent map drawn by the people, for the people, and not by politicians for politicians, is really the best way for people to have their voices heard.”

McConchie teamed up with House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge), Republican Caucus Chair Sen. Jason Barickman R-Bloomington) and House Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) to craft “People’s Independent Maps Act.”

"Public polls have shown more than 75% of Illinois voters support independent redistricting," Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) said in a March Facebook post linking to the Chicago Sun-Times article. "The People's Independent Maps Act offers a fair, transparent map-making process that puts citizens in control of drawing election districts instead of politicians."

Republicans, who are the minority party in the House and Senate, have favored the Maps Act, saying that it puts the power back into the people's hands. At the same time, it also nullifies Democrats' majority when it comes to the once-in-a-decade redistricting. Historically, the majority party leads the redistricting effort.