Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is among Republican lawmakers trying to shift the way redistricting maps are created in 2021. | File Photo
Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is among Republican lawmakers trying to shift the way redistricting maps are created in 2021. | File Photo
House and Senate Republicans are backing legislation that changes the redistricting process, which they call the current policy unfair.
Earlier in 2021, Illinois Republican lawmakers proposed the People's Independent Map Act that would strip legislators of their long-standing power to drive the redistricting process in favor of a method that gives citizens greater control.
"Over the past several weeks, we have listened and participated in redistricting hearings where we heard witnesses from who testified over and over again on the lack of transparency and communication in this redistricting process," Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) said in a Facebook post April 1. "The People's Independent Maps Act, Senate Bill 1325, is about ensuring that our legislative maps are not drawn by politicians who benefit directly from unfair maps."
The Republican legislation comes as the party remains in the minority for another redistricting process. If approved, it would significantly dull the Democratic-led state Legislature's ability to shape legislative and congressional district maps.
Redistricting happens every 10 years following the latest census data.
Democratic leaders, however, claim Republicans only want to "rig the process" to acquire more political influence.
"Republicans have already been clear that their only goal is to rig the process to elect more right-wing candidates," House Redistricting Committee chairperson Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero) said, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) told WSILTV that the legislation has bipartisan support and that it borrows language from a similar proposed constitutional amendment from 2019 that received support from both parties.
"Democrats want this; Republicans want this," Butler said. "The only people who are holding this up are a handful of people who want to draw the maps in the backrooms so that people don't see it."
The 16-member independent commission would have members that represent the state's population demographics and political parties.
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