By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Two former U.S. Cabinet members have launched a new effort to stop Illinois politicians from drawing their own legislative districts.

Fair Maps Illinois co-chairs Bill Daley and Ray LaHood spoke at a news conference Tuesday at the Union League Club of Chicago and announced the push for a constitutional amendment to establish a redistricting commission.

Illinois’ notoriety for gerrymandered maps gained national attention this summer as Texas House Democrats fled to the Land of Lincoln in an effort to avoid voting on Republicans’ congressional redistricting efforts in the Lone Star State.

The current Illinois congressional maps signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2021 received a grade of “F” by Princeton’s Gerrymandering Project.

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation LaHood pointed to an example of gerrymandering in his hometown.

“Ryan Spain, who has been our state rep for a number of years from Peoria, was drawn out of Peoria,” LaHood said.

“People in his neighborhood go to the polls and say, ‘I want to vote for my neighbor, Ryan Spain, who I know,’ and he’s not on the ballot,” LaHood continued.

According to Fair Maps Illinois, the commission would be required to follow clear legal standards, which include no use of political party or voting history in drawing districts, maps prioritizing compactness and the preservation of communities and municipal boundaries, and continued legal protections for communities of interest and minority representation.

The amendment would apply to state legislative districts but not Illinois’ congressional maps.

Constitutional attorney Michael Dorf said the Illinois constitution allows a narrow window for creating a referendum for a constitutional amendment.

“It only is allowed to be regarding a structural and a procedural change to the way the legislature is constituted. That’s why we can’t do anything with respect to congressional redistricting or make a completely nonpartisan independent commission, because the Supreme Court has said that doesn’t fit within that narrow window,” Dorf said.

In 2016, the Illinois Supreme Court struck down a proposed redistricting amendment on procedural grounds.

In April of this year, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled against Illinois House Republicans who filed a lawsuit to challenge the state’s legislative maps.

Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Daley said he is confident voters will approve the measure if it gets on the ballot.

“The people of Illinois, for the first time in a very long time, have a chance to send a statement to the political system, both sides, that we want this thing to be different,” Daley said.

Daley, who also served as chief of staff to former President Barack Obama, suggested the measure would gain momentum during next year’s political campaigns.

“Everyone running for state rep, state Senate, and congressional and statewide officers holders, will be asked, ‘Where do you stand on the fair map amendment,’ and woe with those who don’t say they’re for it when this is on the ballot,” Daley said.

LaHood served in the U.S. House from 1995 to 2009 and in the Illinois House from 1982 to 1983. A reporter asked LaHood if he was hopeful about the redistricting amendment.

“This will be on the ballot, number one, and no one will predict what the Supreme Court does, but we think the way that this is worded, the kind of support that it will have, this will drive a lot of people to the polls to vote for it. It’s going to be an opportunity for the people of Illinois to finally allow for redrawing of maps that reflect where people live,” LaHood said.

Former Illinois State Board of Elections Chairman Bill Cadigan said about 320,000 valid signatures would be needed to get the referendum on the 2026 general election ballot.

Greg Bishop contributed to this story.