The Problem – Illinois’ Legislative Mapping Process is Flawed & Political

• Under existing system, legislators draw district lines behind closed doors.
• Which party gets to draw, Republicans or Democrats, is decided by drawing a name out of a hat
• Districts are drawn to protect incumbents.
• Districts are drawn to protect friends and punish enemies. Power is entrenched in the hands of a few, and it’s almost impossible to vote them out.
• Districts lack true competition.

The Solution – A New, Fair Mapping Process

• Based on a Citizens’ Commission Proposal (Illinois Reform Commission).
• Legislators DO NOT draw maps – Independent Commission does.
• Maps drawn in open and transparent process, with public input.
• Specific criteria must be used to draw maps to protect minority voting rights and aim to eliminate partisan advantage
• Map drawers may not unduly favor any political party. Maps are drawn for people, not politicians.

The Process – Citizen Initiative

• Two ways to change the system – through the legislature, or through the citizens.
  • Legislature will not change the system – citizens must.
• Need 500,000 signatures of registered voters by end of April.
  • Voters must sign a petition specific to their election authority, usually your city or county.
  • Signatures get the IL Fair Map Amendment on the November 2010 ballot for voters to decide.
• If the people vote for the new IL Fair Map Amendment, it will become law and we will finally have a redistricting process that is transparent and fair.