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About Redistricting

 What is redistricting?

Redistricting is the process of drawing a new map of legislative district boundary lines following the collection of Census population information once each decade. CHANGE Illinois! is focusing on the process of drawing Illinois state legislative districts. This process will occur next in 2011 and is intended to ensure that district lines reflect shifts in population over time and make certain each district has the same number of residents. In reality, the current system allows skilled partisan map-makers to create districts which favor incumbents and/or political parties and fracture communities.

Why is it important to reform this process?

  • The current process can be controlled by the party in power and is conducted behind closed doors.
  • In cases of divided power, a winner-take-all tie breaker is selected from a hat.
  • The process is structured to protect incumbents. Because legislative leaders have the greatest influence on where legislative district boundary lines are drawn, legislators may be more responsive to the wishes of party leaders than to constituents' needs.
  • A new, fair redistricting process is critical to ending gridlock on key policy issues, and creating a fair, open and honest government in Illinois.
  • The abuse and misuse of redistricting diminishes communities of interest, disenfranchises voters by diluting their strength and limiting their ability to select their own representatives.
  • Redistricting reform is required to provide diverse voices and independent thinkers an opportunity to serve in the General Assembly.

How can the redistricting process be reformed?

While major changes to the process of drawing and approving maps can only be made through a Constitutional Amendment, legislation can make redistricting more transparent to the public. 

YOU CAN HELP, TOO.  PLEASE CONTACT GOV. QUINN.  Ask him to help bring real transparency and public participation to the redistricting process.  Here is sample language to use in a letter to Gov. Quinn.

This process happens only once every 10 years. With the 2010 Census approaching, now is an opportune time to engage in coalition building and public education aimed at reforming Illinois' redistricting system. If we do not build momentum for redistricting reform now, we may need to wait another decade to see significant change in the system.  

Events

  • The next Senate Redistricting Committee hearing will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 6, in Room 212 of the State Capitol in Springfield. Additional hearings are planned but not announced. The Senate committee's redistricting website is here: http://www.ilsenateredistricting.com 
  • The first announced House Redistricting Committee hearing will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at Parkland College in Champaign. The hearing will be in Room W115 of the Tony Knoll Ag Building, 2400 W. Bradley Ave.   There also will be hearings on April 16 in Cicero and McHenry, but times and locations have not been announced. To check future House committee hearing dates, go to http://www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting
  • In addition, House and Senate Republicans have announced that they help the public draw and propose district maps. Staff, computers and software will be available each weekday at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. Call 312-814-2053 to make an appointment to use the map drawing services.
  • Redistricting "viewing stations" are also available in Springfield, IL, Room 401 of the Stratton Building, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4/30 pm. Call (217) 558-3036 to make an appointment to use the map drawing services.
  
Come back to www.ChangeIL.org for committee hearing updates and additional information.
 
Upcoming Redistricting Community Forums and Training