Connelly calls on lawmakers to pass Fair Maps Amendment
State Senator Michael Connelly (R-Naperville) joined State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) and members of the League of Women Voters Illinois April 18 during a press conference in Springfield calling on Illinois lawmakers to take politics out of Illinois' legislative map-drawing process.
Sen. Connelly is a co-sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 26 (Fair Maps Amendment), which addresses the issue of gerrymandering and removes politicians and sitting legislators from drawing their own districts.
"The vast majority of people in this state agree that legislators should not be drawing their own districts. Voters should choose their elected leaders, not the other way around," said Sen. Connelly. "This proposal would help regain citizens' trust and ensure that they are being represented by their lawmakers.
"Fair maps has been supported by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. There is no good reason why we can't get a proposal on the ballot for the voters to decide. Passing this proposal would give a clear message that we are ready to change the political climate here in Illinois."
SJRCA 26 also includes the following provisions:
Establishes an independent, 16-member commission appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, who is charged with drawing the Congressional and General Assembly maps.
Seven commission members will be nominated from each political party and two commission members will not be affiliated with either political party.
Allows the public to submit maps during the map drawing process for consideration by the Commission.
If a redistricting plan is not adopted by August 1 of the year following a federal decennial census, then a 17th member would be appointed to the Commission to break the tie.