Kankakee Times

State Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Ford) is challenging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to act on what he’s said when it comes to map redistricting.

“House Republicans call on Gov. Pritzker to honor his promise to support independent redistricting,” Bennett said in a video posted to YouTube. “One of the biggest problems in Illinois state government in recent years has been too much power in too few hands. I hope the governor will keep his word and refuse to enact on maps drawn for partisan purposes.”

Republican lawmakers have proposed the People’s Independent Map’s Act, or House Bill 1325, as the solution. The measure would completely remove politicians from the job of map drawing, instead granting the power to the state Supreme Court to appoint 16 independent citizens to a redistricting commission within 30 days of passage.

With the system now allowing the party in power to control the map redistricting process, Democrats stand to call all the shots by virtue of controlling the House, Senate and Governor’s Office.

 Bennett argues the time has long come for a fairer system to be put in place.

“Good government groups have been pushing for an independent commission for decades,” he said on his website. “Public polls have shown more than 75 percent of Illinois voters support an independent process that puts citizens in control of drawing election districts instead of the politicians.”

SB 1325 has the backing of at least 13 Republican senators.