(Springfield, IL) — Democrats in Springfield have have approved House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 28 would overhaul the state’s redistricting standards.
Republicans say the proposal, introduced by House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Chicago), would establish a new five-part framework for drawing legislative maps, reducing the importance of compactness and opening the door to increased use of race and other subjective criteria in mapmaking.
“I say that we leave the constitution alone as it’s written…and let the voters pick their elected representatives,” said State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) during debate. “It’s clear that they will pick a diverse group here in the State of Illinois. You can look at this chamber, it’s a perfect example. There is no need to change this constitution other than to promote further gerrymandering of the maps, to where its the elected official picking who their voters are and not the voters selecting their elected officials. That’s not right.”
Illinois has faced national criticism for its redistricting practices. The Princeton Gerrymandering Project assigned Illinois an “F” grade for its legislative maps, while a 2023 report from Common Cause Illinois also gave the state an “F,” citing a lack of transparency and meaningful public input.
House Republicans also pointed to what they described as hypocrisy from Gov. JB Pritzker, who campaigned on supporting fair maps and an independent redistricting process but ultimately signed partisan maps into law. They say that Pritzker has been speaking out against gerrymandering in other states while ignoring the issue at home.
GOP House members are calling on Illinois residents to demand accountability and push for meaningful redistricting reform.
