Springfield, IL – State Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) voted against a new proposal to change the Illinois constitution regarding how legislative district maps are drawn. House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment (HJRCA) 28 rewrites the standards for legislative mapmaking in Illinois.
“Instead of following the current constitutional standards of compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population, Democrats are pushing a new five-part framework that relies on race as a basis of more gerrymandering,” explained Rep. Jacobs. “When politicians draw maps to protect their power, voters lose their voice.”
Jacobs warns that HJRCA 28 would permanently embed one of the most flawed and partisan mapmaking systems in the country into the Illinois Constitution. Independent watchdog groups have repeatedly flagged Illinois as one of the worst offenders for gerrymandering, receiving an “F” for its maps.
House Republicans have proposed an alternative through HJRCA 5, which would create a 16-member bipartisan commission to draw fair maps. That proposal, along with other reforms that would return power to the people, continues to be ignored by Democrats.
“The people of Illinois deserve fair representation, and right now they are not getting it. That’s according to the Princeton Gerrymandering Project and Common Cause Illinois, nonpartisan groups who call it like they see it. I will continue to fight for fair maps and a transparent and fair process to defend our great Republic,” concluded Jacobs.
You may follow the activities of the General Assembly at ilga.gov and contact Rep. Jacobs with any concerns or help with state programs at 618-559-7018.