Kendall County Times

Illinois Republican lawmakers are pushing for reforms in how representative districts are determined, advocating that the process be taken out of politicians' hands and handed over to an independent committee appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court.

State Senate Republican Deputy Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris) took to Facebook to promote the legislation known as the People’s Independent Maps Act.

“Over the past several weeks, we have listened and participated in redistricting hearings where we heard witnesses who testified over and over again on the lack of transparency and communication in this redistricting process,” Rezin said in an April 8 Facebook page post. “An identical version of this legislation was introduced as a constitutional amendment just last year and garnered the support of 18 Senate Democrats and all Republicans.”

Senate Bill 1325 would direct the state Supreme Court to appoint 16 members to a maps commission that would be required to reflect the ethnic, gender and racial demographics of the state. It would also require even splits of party affiliation along with independents. 

Under the proposed law, each of the state's leading parties during the previous election for governor would have seven members, with the remaining two commissioners appointed from among independents. As part of removing the commission as far as possible from politicians' hands, the members would also be required not to have recently served in any elected or appointed state, federal or local government position, with the same being applied to any immediate family members.