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Dear Local League Leaders & Redistricting Supporters,
We hope this note finds you safe and well. As we all work to stay healthy and meet the significant challenges of the pandemic, we simultaneously continue to address the League mission.
The May 3rd deadline for our Illinois legislature to place the Fair Maps Amendment on the Nov 3rd ballot is fast approaching. Please ask your membership to individually reach out to your state senators and representatives to advocate for signing on or urging their colleagues to sign on to the legislation.
Below is an e-mail draft you can amend as you see fit.
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SAMPLE EMAIL TO SEND
Dear Representative or Senator _______________,
We hope this note finds you safe and well. In this time of rising to the significant challenges of the pandemic, we also continue to address long term issues for Illinois..
As one of your constituents and a member of the League of Women Voters of _____
PICK ONE:
I would like to thank you for your sponsorship of the Fair Maps Amendment (
SJRCA18) OR (
HJRCA41) and ask you to encourage support of the amendment by your peers who have yet to co-sign the bill. Please help propel the Amendment to a vote prior to the May 3rd deadline.
OR
I am asking you to co-sponsor the Fair Maps Amendment (
SJRCA18) OR (
HJRCA41) and help call it for a vote prior to the May 3rd deadline.
We would appreciate hearing from you regarding the Fair Maps legislation.
Best wishes for the health and safety of you, your staff and your family.
Warmest regards,
____________,
League of Women Voters of _______________________
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FIND YOU STATE SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE
The House members who are supporters are: Dan Brady (R), Terri Bryant (R), Tim Butler (R), Kelly Cassidy (D), Dan Caulkins (R), Terra Costa Howard (D), Mary Edly-Allen (D), Sonya Harper (D), Jeff Keicher (R), Lindsey LaPointe (D), Joyce Mason (D), Yoni Pizer (D), Ryan Spain (R), Anne Stava-Murray (D), Chris Welch (D), Mike Zalewski (D)
The Senate members who are supporters are: Neil Anderson (R), Jason Barickman (R), Scott Bennett (D), Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D), Bill Brady Jr. (R), Melinda Bush (D), John Curran (R), Don DeWitte (R), Laura Ellman (D), Laura Fine (D), Dale Fowler (R), Ann Gillespie (D), Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D), Dave Koehler (D), Steve McClure (R), Dan McConchie (R), Pat McGuire (D), Julie Morrison (D), Laura Murphy (D), Jim Oberweis (R), Jason Plummer (R), Sue Rezin (R), Dale Righter (R), Chapin Rose (R), Paul Schimpf (R), Heather Steans (D), Brian Stewart (R), Dave Syverson (R), Jil Tracy (R), Chuck Weaver (R), Craig Wilcox (R)
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LWVIL POSITION
LWVIL believes the responsibility for redistricting preferably should be vested in an independent special commission.
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WHY IT MATTERS
Redistricting determines political power. Every 10 years, when the U.S. Census data is released, political parties draw legislative boundaries that allow them to choose voters who are most likely to give them a political advantage on Election Day. This practice, known as gerrymandering, produces noncompetitive elections, career politicians, and governmental deadlock all because politicians have little to no reason to fear the consequences of being thrown out of office.
After this year's 2020 Census, new legislative maps will be drawn in 2021 which will be in effect for the next decade. A Constitutional Amendment to provide for an Independent Commission to draw maps needs to pass both houses of the IL General Assembly by May 3 to appear on the November 3, 2020 General Election Ballot.
We deserve competitive elections and fair representation. Voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around. It's time for an independent citizens' commission to draw legislative maps in Illinois.
#FairMaps #FairMapsIL #EndGerrymandering
Thank you for fighting the good fight,
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League of Women Voters of Illinois
332 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 634, Chicago, IL 60604
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