Independent map group still confident after losing latest court battle

Posted on July 21, 2016
Independent Map Amendment
The group Independent Map Amendment submitted 570,000 signatures in an attempt to get a measure on the Illinois ballot to change the legislative map-making process. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Illinois Map Amendment)

By RFD Radio

SPRINGFIELD – Close to 600,000 Illinois voters signed petitions to vote on reforming how the state draws its legislative districts.

An Altona farmer who serves on the Independent Map Amendment board of directors, David Erickson, expects that the Illinois Supreme Court will make the final decision in their favor after a Cook County judge ruled the proposal unconstitutional on Wednesday.

“We still feel confidence that we do (have a strong case), but it looks like we are going to have to pass another hurdle to get the people’s choice on the ballot,” Erickson said.

Erickson serves as vice president of the Illinois Farm Bureau and his group, along with others such as the AARP, Common Cause, Latino Policy Forum and Union League Club of Chicago support the measure.

Gov. Bruce Rauner said if the Supreme Court upholds the lower court ruling, lawmakers should vote to put the Independent map measure on the ballot. He says that would have fewer legal restrictions than the citizen initiative is facing.

“I think it’s a harsh reminder that we need major political reform in Illinois,” Rauner said. “Our system is broken and the people of Illinois should be empowered to decide for themselves the shape of voting districts.”

The independent map group has already filed an appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court.

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