Metro East Sun

The Illinois Opportunity Project has issued the following press release:

Chicago, IL- Sen. Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) refused to support a transparent process for legislative redistricting in a State Senate Redistricting Committee hearing focused on Southern Illinois last week.

Sen. Crowe refused repeated calls by fellow State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) to commit to a two-week period for the public to review and comment after a map is introduced but before it is voted on. 

“Sen. Crowe’s refusal to support a transparent redistricting process shows she is more interested in holding onto political power than giving power to voters through fair redistricting,” said Mark Cavers, president of the Illinois Opportunity Project. 

Legislative maps can be rushed through the General Assembly without adequate time for the public to review and comment on them. Good government groups from across the state, including CHANGE Illinois, have called on the Democrat-controlled General Assembly to commit to a transparent and equitable process by guaranteeing a period of public review and comment after the proposed map is introduced but before it is voted on. 

Sen. Crowe’s hypocrisy on redistricting has resurfaced because of her refusal to support Senate Bill 1325. SB1325 ensures independent redistricting and is identical to an Amendment, SJRCA0004, Sen. Crowe supported last session when it was politically convenient but had no chance of passing. 

“Sen. Crowe wants to have it both ways, claiming to support independent maps while refusing the support the reforms necessary to achieve them,” said Mark Cavers. "With Sen. Crowe’s help, Chicago politicians plan to jam through a legislative map that consolidates power and hurts Southern Illinois voters. Sen. Crowe’s refusal to stand up signals that Chicago politicians will ignore Southern Illinois voices for another decade.” 

The Illinois Opportunity Project is a grassroots organization that believes that empowering and organizing people around our shared values and free-market principles is the most impactful way to change our state and strengthen our communities. More information can be found at www.illinoisopportunity.org.