Remap hearings underway in Springfield

Posted on May 26, 2021
The first of four hearings to, potentially, wrap up Illinois’ legislative redistricting process got off to an eventful start. (Photo courtesy: Dave Dahl/Springfield)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Republican lawmakers’ frustrations over the way supermajority Democrats are doing redistricting in Illinois continued into the first two hearings at the Capitol Tuesday.

The House Redistricting Committee chairwoman, State Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero), was unable to answer questions from Republicans about whether data in addition to the American Community Survey – including voter registration data – were used in formulating the draft maps released last Friday; or about whether an expert witness had been hired by the Democrats.

A moment later, Hernandez confirmed he was.

The frustration was not confined to GOP politicians, as members of interest groups, including minorities, criticized what they called a lack of transparency, as well as an unwillingness to wait for U.S. Census data.

Democrats have cited a June 30 deadline to finish up

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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