On Friday (May 28) night, the Illinois Senate voted along party lines to approve new legislative district boundaries that will remain in place for the next ten years.
State Senator Jason Barickman spoke against the measure saying the process by which the maps were drawn was as flawed as the data Democrats purportedly used to create the maps
He says those who previously claimed transparency and fairness are now pushing redistricting that ignores the very reform they once touted.
Sen. Barickman also used his debate time to call out Governor Pritzker.
Audio:
The legislative redistricting legislation was included in House Bill 2777, which passed 44 to 18.
Here is Representative Tom Bennett from the floor debate.
Audio:
During debate Friday night (May 28) on a redrawing of State Supreme Court district boundaries, 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose charged the changes created exclusively by Illinois Democrats are designed solely to ensure a Democrat majority on the state’s high court.
It’s been nearly 60 years since the boundaries of Supreme Court districts were redrawn.
Audio:
State Senator Sally Turner (R-Beason) sums it up:
“Instead of listening to 75 percent of Illinois voters who support an independent redistricting process, Democrat lawmakers have unfortunately decided to use faulty data and closed-door meetings to draw and pass partisan maps.
“The American Community Survey data used to make these maps has been repeatedly criticized for its inaccuracy. It only counts 1 percent of the population and is considered even less accurate for smaller population groups, including rural areas.
“Illinois had until October 5 to approve a final map. Instead of taking advantage of the delayed release of U.S. census data to reform our broken and partisan redistricting process, the majority party has chosen to ignore the will of the people.”
