Illinois redistricting bill passes without transparency improvements

Two days after the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform delivered a statement pushing for the an increase in mandated public redistricting forums, the Illinois House Executive Committee passed legislation that would require lawmakers to hold four public meetings before new districts maps are drawn and approved.

While SB 3976 passed without the amendments suggested by ICPR, Majority Leader Barbra Flynn Currie the four required public meetings should be seen as a “floor, not a ceiling.”

ICPR wrote in its statement the number of public meetings would not ensure Illinois residents would be given a meaningful opportunity to participate in the redistricting process.

“There is no requirement that the public have an opportunity to review and comment on maps after the committee approves a plan and before a vote of the House and Senate,” the statement reads. “That is troubling. Public comments and public involvement are needed to look toward future, not retrospective, maps.”

In an effort to improve transparency, ICPR requested the bill include requirements in the Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 121; that all Census data and map-drawing tools be made available to the public so they can submit drafts for consideration.

The bill passed in a 67-46 vote on Wednesday and will now go to Gov. Pat Quinn for consideration.

Read the full ICPR statement to the committee here.