Bertino-Tarrant Applauds IL Supreme Court Decision to Expedite Independent Map Amendment Appeal

SHOREWOOD, IL – Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant applauded the decision by the Illinois
Supreme Court to expedite a recent appeal request by the Independent Map Initiative. Last
week, an amendment pushed by the group was ruled unconstitutional by a Cook County Circuit
Judge. The State Board of Elections deadline for ballot initiatives is August 26th.

“For far too long, partisan strongholds have decided how our legislative maps are drawn,
ensuring uncontested races and predetermined outcomes,” said Bertino-Tarrant. “That’s not
how democracy is intended to work.”

If successful, the Independent Map amendment will revamp how state-legislative maps are
drawn. Nearly 600,000 Illinois voters signed a petition in support of the initiative. According to
the State Board of Elections, 70 of 118 Illinois House races – or 59% - are uncontested. In
Illinois Senate races, 28 of 40 races – or 70% - are uncontested.

“It’s time to change the status quo of elected officials drawing their own maps. I support efforts
to reform the redistricting process because voters deserve a choice and important decisions like
this deserve to be in the hands of citizens, not politicians. I applaud the Supreme Court’s
decision to expedite the recent appeal by the Independent Map Initiative.”

Since elected to the Illinois Senate in 2012, Jennifer has been a strong advocate of ethic reform
initiatives to make government more transparent and efficient. She’s cut her own pay and
spending on travel and other expenses, worked to ensure employees of lobbying entities are
ineligible for tax-payer funded pensions, and supports campaign finance reform, like prohibiting
Super PACs from becoming involved in legislative races in Illinois.

Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant is running for State Senate in the 49th Legislative. A life-long educator,
and former Will County Regional Superintendent, Jennifer is a strong advocate for education,
working families, and small business growth. She resides in Shorewood, IL with her family.