Rezin joins Senate Republican colleagues pushing for fair maps

State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) joined her Senate Republican colleagues today in Springfield to ask the people of Illinois to speak up and help put a fair maps amendment on the ballot for the next election, giving people the power to pick their legislators instead of letting lawmakers pick their voters.

“Instead of drawing districts behind locked doors, we must give voters a chance to create a system that increases transparency – and takes politicians out of the process,” said Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris).

Every 10 years, following the decennial U.S. Census, Illinois’ Congressional and General Assembly maps are redrawn. Illinois currently has a winner-take-all system for the redistricting process, where the politicians who are in control right now have the power to draw the maps for the next 10 years. This gives them the ability to shift district lines to create an advantage for the members of their party, which is often referred to as “gerrymandering.” This system is what creates strangely-shaped districts and uncompetitive elections.

Senate Joint Resolution-Constitutional Amendment 4, sponsored by lawmakers from both parties, would give voters the opportunity to amend the Constitution to create a new, non-partisan system for drawing maps. It would establish an independent redistricting commission, increase transparency in the process and provide for public hearings to allow Illinois residents to weigh in.

SJR-CA 4 would place the question of fair maps on the ballot for the next statewide election. So far, however, entrenched political leaders haven’t allowed similar bills to advance, despite a nationwide call for fair map plans from members of both parties.

Sen. Rezin is giving the people the 38th Senate District the opportunity to voice their support for fairer maps in Illinois by clicking here and signing her fair maps petition.

Sen. Rezin speaks during a press conference in Springfield.

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