Illinois Valley Times

State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) fears the spirit of former House Speaker Mike Madigan still lives on in Springfield, especially when it comes to map redistricting.

“That’s a blast from the past but the Madigan playbook still lives on in the State of Illinois,” Spain said in a video posted to YouTube. “Even though Madigan was removed from power in January, they did not part ways with his playbook. We have seen this play out time and time again. This is the Madigan fair-map fakeout.”

Spain says Democratic lawmakers are opposed to reform and are intent on drawing the maps in secret.

“This phase to the Madigan playbook took place years ago when Madigan not once, but twice blocked citizen-led redistricting proposals in 2014 and 2016,” he said. “The powerful speaker called in his top enforcers to ensure that these citizen-backed reforms did not become law, setting the stage for our mapmaking process now in 2021."

As for the maps themselves, Spain said, “they invite all Democratic members to enter the secret room and give them a chance to pick their voters, because that’s what this is all about – finding a way around the democratic process. They can’t tell us what kind of data is being used or what they’re doing in that room. The map is made, after all, to maximize political advantage.

Spain said the finishing touches include limiting opportunities for debate on the issue and passing the map in the 11th hour so that there is little chance for resistance.

“If you’re sick of hearing the Mike Madigan playbook, I am too,” Spain said. “I thought things would be better when new leadership and a new speaker was elected in the legislature, but it’s not. This is the same playbook being executed again and again to make sure that voters do not have the opportunity to be involved with how their government is being designed and how it would work."