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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Attempt To Change Illinois' Redistricting Found Unconsitutional

mapamendment.org

The so-called Independent Maps proposal would have asked voters to change the state constitution — so instead of legislators drawing House and Senate districts, that work would be done by an special commission.

Illinois has strict limits on changing the constitution by referendum, and a Cook County judge ruled that the remap proposal did not meet the requirements.

Independent Maps spokesman Jim Bray says the group will appeal.

"More than 60 percent of Illinoisians say they want to have impartial redistricting, yet the legislators don't want that because they're the ones who get to draw the maps right now and they draw them to favor themselves," Bray said. 

The lawsuit was brought by another group that says it wants to protect minority voting rights. But the opponents' lead lawyer is a longtime ally of House Speaker Michael Madigan and the Democratic Party of Illinois.

Governor Bruce Rauner, a Republican, denounced today’s court decision.?

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