State Senator Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) joined several state legislators Thursday during a press conference at the Thompson Center calling on the General Assembly to pass a Fair Maps amendment to the Illinois Constitution.
Sen. McConchie is a co-sponsor of the bipartisan amendment, Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 18, which takes sitting legislators out of Illinois’ legislative map-drawing process and prevents them from drawing their own districts.
“The first step to rooting out corruption in Springfield is to have voters choose their legislators, not the other way around,” said Sen. McConchie. “Redistricting reform is supported by a majority of legislators on both sides of the aisle. There’s no excuse why we can’t get a question on the ballot for the voters to decide this fall. Passing this proposal would send a clear message to our constituents that the current political climate in Springfield is no longer acceptable.”
SJRCA 18 includes the following provisions:
- Establishes an independent, 17-member commission appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, that is charged with drawing the Congressional and General Assembly maps.
- Seven commission members will be nominated from each political party (can’t be a sitting elected official or their employees) and three commission members will not be affiliated with either political party.
- Allows the public to provide comment and submit maps during the map-drawing process for consideration by the Commission. The Commission is required to review all submissions.
In order for SJRCA 18 to be placed on the ballot this General Election, the full General Assembly must pass it no later than May 3, 2020.