For many years, Senate Republicans have strongly advocated for creating a new, non-partisan system for drawing legislative boundaries. Earlier this year, the Caucus pledged support for the passage of a bipartisan Constitutional Amendment that would have allowed Illinois residents to have their say on the issue.
The state’s current system of drawing voting maps is geared toward protecting current officeholders. Districts are drawn to protect partisan incumbents, and ensure that the majority caucus is likely to continue to hold those seats for the next 10 years (when maps are redrawn).
Redistricting reform requires the General Assembly to submit an amendment to the Illinois Constitution – providing voters the opportunity to put a new system in place. The most recent Constitutional Amendment would place the question of fair maps on the ballot for the next statewide election.
The Senate Republican Caucus has been working on this issue for many years. Still, the Democrat majority has not allowed the matter to reach the voters despite a nationwide call for fair map plans from members of both parties.
