Chambana Sun

With redistricting discussions occurring in Illinois, voices are calling out for transparency, participation, and fairness.

For Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), some voices are too quiet, particularly concerning the Fair Maps proposal.

“My hope has always been that the governor and the speaker were serious when they expressed support for the Fair Maps idea. Their sudden silence is troubling and I think we have to assume that the process is going to be the same as it always has been and the maps that get signed into law will be designed to give the Democrats the majority for the next 10 years,” Halbrook said in an interview with the Chambana Sun.

Typically, there is a June 30 deadline for redistricting, partly because by then census information has been made available. This year, the release of full census data has been delayed, and some want officials in Illinois to take advantage of that and not stick to the June 30 deadline, and create an independent commission redraw the maps. 

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) says attendees of redistricting hearings are asking for more transparency, and for legislators to take the extra time to develop these maps

“Witness after witness has been critical of the lack of transparency in this process. That includes requests for more robust public engagement, more notice of hearings and for answers on how the public can draw their maps and what data we should be using," said Rezin. "What we've heard from witnesses is that if you want true engagement, then slow the process down. There's no need to rush and pass maps with inaccurate data by June 30 when the real constitutional deadline is not until October. Witnesses have said, repeatedly, we need to use the delay on the census data as an opportunity to make this process better, an opportunity to truly engage the citizens of the state and allow better participation."

Halbrook echoes some of those concerns.

“The people I am hearing from have very little trust in Springfield. They do not believe there will be a fair map process, and that we will end up with another legislative map to give the Democrats the majority for the next 10 years,” Halbrook said. “There is broad support for an independent map process that would give conservatives a fighting chance to win the majority. The only way to stop the assault on our Second Amendment rights, or the out-of-control spending at the state level is to change leadership. But new leadership will not happen as long as partisan Democrats are the ones drawing the legislative districts.”  

In 2018, Gov. J.B. Pritzker pledged to veto maps that were partisan, drafted or created by legislators, political party leaders or their staff members, but he has recently indicated that he would support maps drawn before the full census data is released, which some suspect would skew to the Democrats. And House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has said that the plan is not to use the extra time, but to have the new legislative maps on Pritzker’s desk for approval by June 30.