In our system of government, the people are supposed to choose their representatives. The reality is the opposite: Elected lawmakers draw legislative and congressional districts to give one party or the other an advantage and to protect themselves from losing their seats.
Illinois has suffered from that practice, which House Speaker Michael Madigan has made it a point to maintain. A 2019 poll by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University found that 67% of Illinoisans want redistricting — which will unfold next year — taken away from self-serving politicians and handed over to an independent commission. But in its spring session, and many sessions before it, the General Assembly denied giving voters a chance to make that change.
Yes, voters, you should be outraged that your state lawmakers only “allow” you to vote on amendments they want, such as the tax hike amendment on this year’s ballot. As long as Madigan is in charge, there will be no independently drawn maps.
But we do have an idea of what they would look like.
The Better Government Association commissioned a consulting firm to produce a map with “compact, contiguous districts that were close to equal in population, that protect minority representation and preserve communities.” Unlike legislators, the consultants didn’t try to help one party. What they got were state Senate, state House and U.S. House districts that are simpler and less contorted in shape. Cities and towns that are currently split into multiple districts — such as Rockford, Peoria and Collinsville — are no longer divided.
Contrary to what you might expect, this plan wouldn’t give a big boost to Republicans, who have been shut out of reapportionment. The BGA says the partisan balance would most likely remain the same. The most notable change? “A surprising number of incumbents would find themselves in a district with another incumbent — sometimes from the same party, sometimes not.” They would have to run against each other, find a new district or give up their seats. And dozens of districts would have no incumbent, ensuring a big group of fresh faces in Springfield.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said he won’t sign a partisan remap. We’ll see. What we do know is the BGA’s experiment gives reformers a little more leverage: Here’s what a fair map looks like, governor. Still want to sign into law the crooked one?
Editorials reflect the opinion of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board.
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