On Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 1 p.m., WLS 890 radio personality and former GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Dan Proft, State Senator Christine Radogno (41st Dist.), GOP State Rep. Candidate Dan Sugrue (59th Dist.) and others will discuss the proposed Fair Map Amendment in a forum sponsored by Right Moms of Northern Illinois.
The Fair Map Amendment proposes to put the drawing of legislative districts into the hands of an independent commission. “Gerrymandering” is the current process of back room “district fixing” according to Amendment supporters. For the last three decades, Illinois legislators have created districts that ensure their re-election by drawing their own maps behind closed doors. The result is that since 2001, the incumbent wins 98% of elections for the Illinois legislature.
The legislature could change this process at any time, but they haven’t and they won’t, Amendment supporters say. According to state law, in order for the Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment to appear on the ballot in November, the General Assembly must pass it with a 3/5th majority by May 2, 2010 (six months before the general election in November). Because Amendment supporters believe the General Assembly will not act, they are relying on the voters: 500,000 signatures are needed by the end of April to place the Amendment on November’s ballot.
The Amendment would require public hearings, ensure public display of proposed maps and allow public submission of proposed maps. Passage of the amendment will encourage competition and promote diversity among candidates. If a voter “could do just one thing to help end corruption in Illinois” say sponsors, signing a petition to get the Fair Map Amendment on November’s ballot “would be it.” Amendment sponsors include such diverse groups as the League of Women Voters, Americans for Prosperity, Illinois Alliance for Growth, Better Government Association, Common Cause, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, IVI-IPO and others. See: www.ilfairmap.com.
Senator Radogno, co-sponsor of the Fair Map Amendment and lead speaker at the March 21st Fair Map Amendment Forum noted this reform would take the power of drawing legislative maps out of lawmakers’ hands and place it into the hands of an independent commission. “We are proposing to take the politics out of the redistricting process and let voters choose their elected representatives,” she said. Co-sponsor State Rep. Tom Cross noted the Amendment would take away the “hat provision” which has “decided who draws the legislative map for the last three decades. When lawmakers and the governor can’t agree on a legislative map—we draw a name out of a hat. We’re the only state in the nation that allows this winner take all approach.” See: www.senatorradogno.org.
Defeating a “party-in-power’s” ability to gerrymander federal congressional districts is not unique to Illinois. Karl Rove, former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush, writing in the Wall Street Journal (March 4,2010) observed the vital import of state legislative races in this regard: the state victors’ ability to redistrict federal congressional districts means “he who controls redistricting can control Congress.” Amendment supporters believe the “control” should lie with the people, and not with career politicians bent on perpetuating their and their party’s power.
The Fair Map Amendment Forum will be held at the Lake Forest American Legion Post 264 at 801 N. McKinley Road in Lake Forest. The event is free and open to the public. The venue is within walking distance of the Lake Forest Metra train station and ample parking is available in a lot across from the Legion on McKinley Road.
For more information on the venue, contact: Lisa Pommer at: 847-234-0864
For more information on the event, contact: Aimee Messner at: RightMoms@gmail.com.