Kankakee Times

State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) argues Senate Bill 1325 is all about giving voters what they insist they want most.

“Millions of Illinoisans believe politicians shouldn’t draw their own maps, politicians shouldn’t get to pick their own voters and if a political party rejects an independent process they do so solely to fulfill a partisan and political purpose,” Barickman said a recent Republican press conference on the issue of redistricting. “This bill mandates issues that actually matter to voters.”

With lawmakers now embroiled in a simmering debate over the issue of map redistricting, Republicans have introduced SB 1325 as a simple solution. With Census Bureau data typically used to draw the maps not expected to be available before a June 30 deadline, the measure would give the state Supreme Court the power to appoint 16 independent citizen commissioners to an independent redistricting commission within 30 days of passage.

Barickman said he is also calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to stand by his word.

“In 2018, candidate Pritzker was asked if he would veto a map made by legislators and he said, ‘yes I pledge to veto,’” Barickman added. “He even went further to say that the legislature should create an independent commission. Voters shouldn’t have to rely on politicians who draw maps solely to fulfill their self-serving interests.”

Barickman said in times past many Democrats have agreed with what Republicans are now calling for.

“Just last year, 18 Democrats supported an independent map-making commission,” he said. “I think this is an historic opportunity for Illinoisans.”