Now that the Illinois State Board of Elections says a proposed constitutional amendment to change the way legislative districts are drawn has gained enough signatures to be eligible for the fall ballot, the fate of the proposal is with the courts. Oral arguments in a challenge to the Independent Map Amendment proposal, aimed at removing some of the politics from the redrawing of House and Senate districts, are scheduled for 2 p.m. June 30 before Cook County Circuit Court Judge Diane Larsen. In preparing for the case, the Independent Map group filed a response to the legal challenge from the People’s Map opposition, whose lead attorney is Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan’s top legal ally, Mike Kasper.
The People’s Map has alleged, among other issues, that the Independent Map proposal does not meet the narrow window for petition-driven initiatives, which is limited to making “structural and procedural” changes in the legislature.
In its response, the Independent Map group contended that since the court allowed the 1980 Pat Quinn-led effort to reduce the size of the Illinois House by one-third and create single-member House districts, its new redistricting amendment proposal also should be constitutional.
Full Article: Morning Spin: Redistricting reform heads to court as Madigan forces try to block it from ballot – Chicago Tribune.