http://www.midwestdemocracynetwork.org/index.php We are an alliance of political reformers and policy researchers committed to improving democratic institutions in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. en blee@midwestdemocracynetwork.org Copyright 2012 2012-01-25T18:59:45+00:00 http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/chicago_city_council_passes_new_redistricting_map/ http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/chicago_city_council_passes_new_redistricting_map/#When:18:59:45Z After weeks of contentious hearings and negotiations, the Chicago City Council has approved a new city ward map, which will go into effect for the next mayoral election, to be held in 2015. The Council voted 41-8 to approve the map, which meant that no competing maps could be introduced. Because of shifts in the city’s population, ward boundaries needed changes to require more Latino representation, which did not sit well with other communities whose populations shrank or grew at a slower rate. The approved map worked to keep some neighborhoods together, and offered protection to many incumbents, but some aldermen were not happy with the process, according to the Chicago Tribune. Redistricting, News, Illinois 2012-01-25T18:59:45+00:00 http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/wisconsin_supreme_court_justices_connections_result_in_recusal_calls_ethics/ http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/wisconsin_supreme_court_justices_connections_result_in_recusal_calls_ethics/#When:18:57:05Z Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman will not recuse himself from three cases pending before the Court, reports the Wisconsin State Journal. Attorneys involved in the case had asked Justice Gableman to recuse himself after he had received legal services from another firm, Michael Best & Friedrich, which will be representing Governor Walker in one of the cases. Judicial Independence, News, Wisconsin 2012-01-24T18:57:05+00:00 http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/ohio_officials_support_redistricting_reform_-_their_way/ http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/ohio_officials_support_redistricting_reform_-_their_way/#When:19:01:30Z Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted has come out in favor of reforming the state’s redistricting process, but also believes that it must be done through certain means. “If we do not act, I believe outside groups will move forward with their own plans, without the benefit of the public input process and thorough review the Constitutional Modernization Commission is capable of providing,” Husted said, quoted in the Dayton Daily News. A coalition of groups including Network partners Common Cause Ohio and League of Women Voters of Ohio are working on a constitutional amendment to put forth this Fall. Redistricting, News, Ohio 2012-01-23T19:01:30+00:00 http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/wisconsin_judge_to_hear_voter_id_suit/ http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/wisconsin_judge_to_hear_voter_id_suit/#When:22:31:34Z A Dane County, Wisconsin judge has agreed to hear a case involving the state’s voter ID law. The case was brought forth by Network partner League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. The judge also agreed to hear an argument from the state Department of Justice contending that the League does not have legal standing on the issue. The hearing date for both cases is March 9. “Our lawsuit argues that this law creates a third category of otherwise eligible citizens who are barred from voting, and that is people who don’t have ID,” LWV of Wisconsin executive director Andrea Kaminski said to Milwaukee Public Radio. Other organizations have also filed against the voter ID law in state and federal court, according to WUVM in Milwaukee. The voter ID law is set to go into effect in Wisconsin on February 21. Election Law & Voting Rights, News, Wisconsin 2012-01-20T22:31:34+00:00 http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/report_connects_alec_and_minnesota_legislators/ http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/report_connects_alec_and_minnesota_legislators/#When:22:35:35Z   Network partner Common Cause Minnesota has released a new report that connects the dots between state legislators in Minnesota, the bills they introduce, and the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC. Bills introduced in the Minnesota legislature include bills that would restrict agricultural whistleblowers, protect corporate tax breaks in the state constitution, and lower tax rates on tobacco products. In essence, according to the report, state legislators are not writing the bills they introduce and laws they pass. Rather, through ALEC, the legislators receive model bills, and introduce slightly changed versions in their state. Campaign Finance Reform, News, Reports, Minnesota 2012-01-18T22:35:35+00:00 http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/network_partner_opposes_changes_to_wisconsin_disclosure_law/ http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/network_partner_opposes_changes_to_wisconsin_disclosure_law/#When:21:44:01Z Network partner Wisconsin Democracy Campaign has come out in opposition to Senate Bill 292, which is currently making its way through the Wisconsin legislative chambers. The bill would change the state’s disclosure law so that individual donors giving more than $100 would no longer be required to disclose their employer. Campaign Finance Reform, Open Government, News, Wisconsin 2012-01-13T21:44:01+00:00 http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/ohio_papers_highlight_redistricting_reform/ http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/ohio_papers_highlight_redistricting_reform/#When:22:33:47Z The need for redistricting reform in Ohio has come to the forefront, and more Ohio based newspapers are beginning to take notice. Redistricting, News, Ohio 2012-01-12T22:33:47+00:00 http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/michigan_voters_support_redistricting_reform/ http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/michigan_voters_support_redistricting_reform/#When:16:22:50Z New polling data from Michigan Nonprofit Association and other Network partners in the Michigan Redistricting Collaborative shows that 71% of likely voters support removing politicians from the state’s redistricting process, and increasing public participation.Voters surveyed voiced support for a non-partisan commission to draw legislative and congressional districts, and that commission members should not be able to run for the seats for which they draw lines. Redistricting, News, Michigan 2012-01-06T16:22:50+00:00 http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/ohio_democrats_file_lawsuit_to_have_republican_drawn_maps_thrown_out/ http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/ohio_democrats_file_lawsuit_to_have_republican_drawn_maps_thrown_out/#When:16:42:52Z Ohio Democrats have filed a lawsuit against state Republicans on the grounds that they violated the state constitution with their recent remap of state legislative districts. Article 11 of the state constitution requires districts to be contiguous and compact, and that districts not divide other governmental units such as counties and cities. Democrats want the Supreme Court to force Republicans to draw a new map, or appoint a “special master” to redraw lines. Redistricting, News, Ohio 2012-01-05T16:42:52+00:00 http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/michigan_partners_speak_out_against_voter_id/ http://midwestdemocracy.dreamhosters.com/index.php/reports/article/michigan_partners_speak_out_against_voter_id/#When:20:11:51Z Michigan legislators have introduced bills that will restrict voting rights across the state, and Network groups have been at the forefront of informing the public on what these new restrictions will do to voters at the polls. Susan Smith, president of League of Women Voters of Michigan writes in the Morning Sun that voting should be more accessible and convenient,  and that these bills would make voting more difficult. The League also opposes provisions that would make it harder for third parties, such as the League, to host voter registration drives. Morning Sun: Guest Column: Proposed laws would create barriers to voting Election Law & Voting Rights, News, Michigan 2011-12-21T20:11:51+00:00