At a hearing on new political district boundaries, Republicans posed hundreds of hard questions about how exactly Illinois’ super-majority Democrats drew them. The Democratic co-chairs usually declined to answer.
Republicans, Democrats continue battle over redistricting process with more hearings on the way
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As lawmakers return to Springfield this week, all eyes are on the new maps for the next decade. Democrats dropped their proposed districts for the House and Senate late Friday night. Republicans are still reeling about the lack of transparency.
GOP members compare the first draft of maps to Kindergarten artwork. The House and Senate Redistricting Committees have four hearings scheduled this week. Leaders scheduled the meetings for Tuesday and Wednesday, leaving little time for the public to look at the maps and make suggestions for changes.
Originally published on May 22, 2021 2:07 pm
The Illinois General Assembly’s typical end-of-May rush is headed for an acrimonious conclusion after Democrats published their long-awaited proposed legislativemaps Friday evening, kicking off what those in the party hope is the final leg of a contentious once-in-a-decade redistricting process.
Republicans along with many self-styled government reform organizations and minority advocacy groups are hoping last-minute maneuvering and in-fighting among the majority party could give them a small opening to delay the process long enough to take the responsibility entirely out of lawmakers’ hands and give the GOP a 50/50 shot at drawing the maps.
Either way, the maps will end up in court. But before then, lawmakers will engage in a raucous partisan fight over new legislative district boundaries that could bring some of their political careers to an end.
Illinois House Democrats give update on outlook for rest of Spring session
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.- House Democratic leaders met with reporters Thursday to discuss some of their goals for the rest of the legislative session.
They gave updates on redistricting hearings, a proposal for Asian American history curriculum in schools and a task force for statues on state property. Of course, next year’s budget is on everyone’s mind.
House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) explained the state’s revenue is looking much better than lawmakers expected a few months ago. Harris said things have looked a little different during the pandemic.
Photo: Saga Communications
The opposing political parties in Springfield offer opposing views of just how diabolical the every-ten-years process of redistricting really is.
Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) and other House Republicans found themselves in an office building next to the Capitol Thursday afternoon. “My colleagues and I are standing in front of a locked door,” Bourne said, “where politicians are literally walking in and selecting their voters.”
House Redistricting Committee chairwoman Rep. Lisa Hernandez’ (D-Cicero) response was untheatrical. “We are just following the process. They are doing the same,” said Hernandez. “They are also looking at maps. It’s nothing new It’s not a secret.”