Seeking to reform the state’s current system of drawing voting maps and empower voters, I am sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 18 (SJRCA18) to remove lawmakers from the redistricting process.

The newly-filed constitutional amendment would take sitting legislators out of Illinois’ legislative map-drawing process and prevent them from drawing their own districts.

The concept of fair maps isn’t a partisan or novel idea. It’s common sense reform that puts an end to a system that gerrymanders legislative boundaries for the benefit of lawmakers and to the detriment of voters. Our very own Governor expressed his support for the idea while running for office in 2018, saying that he had supported the effort for years. Well now we’re to a point where support is no longer enough, we need to see action.

SJRCA 18 includes the following provisions:

Establishes an independent, 17-member commission appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, who is charged with drawing the Congressional and General Assembly maps.
Seven commission members will be nominated from each political party and three commission members will not be affiliated with either political party.
Allows the public to provide comment and submit maps during the map drawing process for consideration by the Commission.

The current process in place in which politicians are essentially allowed to pick their districts stifles voter input and protects partisan incumbents. However, passing SJRCA 18 would send a strong message to Illinoisans that the status quo in Springfield is no longer acceptable.

In order for SJRCA 18 to be placed on the ballot this General Election, the full General Assembly must pass it no later than May 3, 2020.