ACTION NEEDED:

• Call Senate President Cullerton now. Ask him to call SJRCA26, the Redistricting Amendment, for a full vote in the Senate. We are asking for fairness. There is wide support among voters for a change to the process of redistricting in Illinois. Twenty-three Senators have signed on as co-sponsors of the Amendment.  Springfield Phone (217) 782-2728,  District Phone (773) 883-0770. 

• Call the State Senators listed below. Ask them to support the Redistricting Amendment SJRCA26. According to the IL Redistricting Collaborative there are three more votes needed in the Senate for passage. Senators with Asterisks near their names are leaning toward yes.  Calls could really help.

 

District         Senator                     Springfield Phone                  District Phone

2                    Aquino*                      (217) 782-5652                     (773) 292-0202

3                    Hunter                        (217) 782-5966                     (312) 949-1908

4                    Lightford                    (217) 782-8505                     (708) 343-7444

13                  Raoul                          (217) 782-5338                     (773) 363-1996

14                  Jones                          (217) 782-9573                     (773) 995-7748

15                  Harris                         (217) 782-8066                     (708) 893-0552

18                  Cunningham             (217) 782-5145                     (773) 445-8128

23                  T. Cullerton                (217) 782-9463                     (630) 903-6662

34                  Stadelman                 (217) 782-8022                     (815) 987-7557

40                  Hutchison*                (217) 782-7419                     (708) 756-0882

52                  Bennett*                   (217) 782-2507                     (217) 355-5252

56                  Haine                         (217) 782-5247                     (618) 465-4764                                           

 

WHY IT MATTERS:

This Constitutional Amendment:

• Establishes an independent redistricting commission that must be demographically, politically, and geographically representative of our state to draw our Congressional and General Assembly maps.
• Removes politicians and sitting legislators from drawing their own districts.
• Adds sunlight and transparency by requiring the release of all communications made by the Commission as well as any data used to create and propose any and all maps
• Gives the public the opportunity to participate in the process by requiring at least 30 public hearings on the maps before a final vote is taken.
• Establishes criteria for drawing the maps, after compliance with the US Constitution and federal laws and equality in population, to provide racial minorities and language minorities with the equal opportunity to participate in the political process and elect candidates of their choice.

 

There is a short timeline for Amendment Approval.  It needs to pass both houses by a 3/5s vote by  May 6.  The House will be in session until  April 27 and then takes a break.  The Senate will be in session until  May 3.