Kendall County Times

Despite opposition from Republican lawmakers, community advocacy groups, and other organizations that pushed for government reform, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Democrat-backed new legislative district maps into law. 

Pritzker signed the bill on June 4, a week after Democrats pushed the legislation through the General Assembly.  

"For years we have been fighting to have legislative maps drawn by an independent commission instead of politicians," Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) wrote in a June 4 post on Facebook. "Around 75 percent of Illinois others support this concept. However, today, the Governor officials signed partisan maps drawn by Illinois politicians into law."

The new maps won't go into effect until 2023, but Tri States Public Radio reported the elections to decide which lawmakers will represent those districts will take place next year.

During the spring, Republicans and organizations that advocated for government reform had asked Democrats to delay drawing the map lines as they waited for official data from the U.S. Census Bureau. 

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said Pritzker "sold out" and reneged on a campaign promise during a recent news conference. Although no promises were made, other GOP lawmakers said they'd be exploring their legal options. Democrats, including House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside), saw the maps as a "win" for the people of Illinois.