D'Amico Supports Change to Redistricting Process, Calls for Independent Commission to Draw Legislative Maps

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislative districts would be drawn by an independent commission under a new proposal co-sponsored by state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, aimed at removing elected officials from the process of redistricting.

“As elected officials, we need to get out of the business of drawing our own boundaries and instead give the responsibility to an independent commission with no ties to political parties,” D’Amico said. “This proposed constitutional amendment would allow for greater transparency and public input on the way our legislative maps are drawn. We need to shine some light on the process and this is a good step forward.”

D’Amico is sponsoring House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 58, which reforms the redistricting process in Illinois by removing the General Assembly and the governor from the process of drawing State House and State Senate maps, which occurs every 10 years after the U.S. Census is completed. Instead, an eight-member independent commission appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court would be in charge of drawing the state House and Senate districts.

Current and recent elected officials are disqualified from serving on the panel, as are lobbyists, business owners who contract with the state and state employees. The panel must hold 15 public hearings throughout Illinois before adopting a plan. The measure is supported by a wide range of groups including Common Cause Illinois, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, and the Small Business Advocacy Council. If passed out of the General Assembly, the measure will be placed on the November ballot and will need to be approved by voters.

“An independent commission will give taxpayers a stronger voice in the redistricting process and ensure that their best interests are being represented,” D’Amico said. “Instead of elected officials drawing their districts to protect themselves, this proposal will create more competition and better representation.”

For more information about these laws or any state-related issues, please contact D’Amico’s fulltime constituent service office at 773-736-0218 or johnd@ilga.gov.

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