State Representative Tom Weber (R-Lake Villa) has joined House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), along with the entire House Republican caucus, to sponsor a fair maps amendment. House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 10 (HJRCA 10), would create an independent commission for the drawing of non-partisan legislative districts.
“Even when a government body is functioning well, there is always the risk of partisanship superseding the passage of good policy, which is why independent redistricting is so important to good government,” said Weber. “I am proud I was able to advance this goal while I was on the Lake County Board by serving on the Government Reform Implementation Committee as we started the process to form an independent redistricting commission on the county level. The state needs to make a serious effort at doing the same.”
HJRCA 10 would create the Independent Redistricting Commission, comprised of 11 members, charged with proposing a legislative map. The commission would be required to hold public hearings both before and after releasing their proposed plan. The legislative map would need to receive the favorable vote of at least seven commissioners, including two from each political party whose candidate for Governor received the most and second-most votes, and two commissioners not affiliated with either political party.
If the commission fails to adopt a new legislative map by June 30th of the year following the official U.S. census, the Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court and the next senior Justice, not of the same party as the Chief Justice, will be required to appoint a Special Commissioner for Redistricting that must adopt and file a legislative map by August 31st of the same year.
“Governor Pritzker has said he supports independent redistricting to restore the confidence of the public and HJRCA 10 gives him, and all Illinoisans, that opportunity,” said Weber. “I hope he will join me and my fellow Republicans in encouraging our Democratic colleagues to support this amendment.”
For more information about HJRCA 10, Click Here.