Invites voters to join petition
State Senator Neil Anderson is backing a bipartisan proposal, Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4, which would place the question of fair maps on the ballot for the next statewide election. Anderson is also inviting the people in his district to sign his petition on the issue.
“For years, people in my district and all across the state have been asking for a change in the way legislative districts are drawn,” said Sen. Anderson. “SJRCA 4 is backed by both Democrats and Republicans. There’s no reason we can’t get this passed this spring and allow the voters to decide on the issue during the next election.”
Every 10 years, following the decennial U.S. Census, Illinois’ Congressional and General Assembly maps are redrawn. Illinois currently has a winner-take-all system for the redistricting process, where the politicians who are in control right now have the power to draw the maps for the next 10 years. This gives them the ability to shift district lines to create an advantage for the members of their party, which is often referred to as “gerrymandering.” This system is what creates strangely-shaped districts and uncompetitive elections.
Senate Joint Resolution-Constitutional Amendment 4, sponsored by lawmakers from both parties, would give voters the opportunity to amend the Constitution to create a new, non-partisan system for drawing maps. It would establish an independent redistricting commission, increase transparency in the process and provide for public hearings to allow Illinois residents to weigh in.
SJR-CA 4 would place the question of fair maps on the ballot for the next statewide election. So far, however, entrenched political leaders haven’t allowed similar bills to advance, despite a nationwide call for fair map plans from members of both parties.
Sen. Anderson is giving the people the 36th Senate District the opportunity to voice their support for fairer maps in Illinois by visiting his website, www.SenatorNeilAnderson.com, and signing the fair maps petition.