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.
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.
 
Nationally, the League of Women Voters is pursuing its People Powered Fair Maps initiative , a 50-state plus District of Columbia redistricting campaign focused on creating fair political maps nationwide.  The League of Women Voters of Illinois, representing over 3500 members, is working with 29 organizations in a coalition that is dedicated to independent redistricting for Illinois. The people of Illinois overwhelmingly support redistricting reform.  A recent independent poll by the SIU's Paul Simon Institute found that 67 percent of Illinois voters want an independent commission to draw our legislative lines.
 
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 _______________________
FIND YOU STATE SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE



LWVIL POSITION

LWVIL believes the responsibility for redistricting preferably should be vested in an independent special commission.
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,

Allyson Haut, LWVIL Board President
Jean Pierce and Rosemary Heilemann, Issues & Advocacy Co-Chairs 
Paula Lawson and Jane Ballengee, Redistricting Issues Specialists



League of Women Voters of Illinois
332 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 634, Chicago, IL  60604
Phone: (312) 939-5935  | Email:  issues@lwvil.org  | website:  www.lwvil.org
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