NW Illinois News

State Sen. Win Stoller (R-Peoria) is calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to be the leader he claimed he would be when it comes to the job of map redistricting.

"After finding out their original maps were unconstitutional, the majority party passed their partisan maps late Tuesday night,” Stoller posted on Facebook. “It’s time for the governor to step in and keep his promise to veto them."

He then listed a web site where voters can send a message to the governor.

Stoller isn’t the only one now highlighting the discrepancy between the pledge Pritzker made as a candidate to veto any maps drawn along partisan lines and the way Democrats created maps that critics say tilt in their favor.

“Drawing district maps in locked back rooms yet again, Illinois lawmakers underscored their utter disregard for the will of the people and for the bedrock democratic principles of open government by and for the people,” CHANGE Illinois Executive Director Madeline Doubek said in a press release. “Gov. Pritzker said he wanted maps that reflect the state’s rich diversity. These maps fall far short of that request and should be rejected by him.”

The current map legislation comes after Pritzker and Democrats were forced to redraw their first attempt after facing lawsuits alleging violation of the Constitution’s one-person, one-vote principle.

Other groups calling on the governor to honor the veto pledge he made as a candidate include the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition, the United Congress of Community and Religious Organizations, Latino Policy Forum, the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, Common Cause Illinois, Agudath Israel of Illinois, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Nonprofit Utopia.

“Twice in a matter of months, Illinoisans have seen their overwhelming pleas for independent and transparent mapmaking utterly ignored by those elected to represent them,” Doubek said. “Their maps make a farce of democracy and their mapmaking process was a charade. Illinois lawmakers have effectively demonstrated the clear and compelling need to end gerrymandering once and for all.”