A newly proposed Illinois constitutional amendment would change the way legislative and representative districts are drawn in the state.
Republican state lawmakers strongly oppose the measure they say would further corrupt district maps that are already illegal.
The amendment would set in place a list of new priorities that must be considered when drawing district maps.
According to the filing, the priorities in order are for all districts to have near-equal populations; to provide equal opportunity for all citizens, regardless of race; the creation of districts with racial minority influence; and for district borders to be unbroken and compact.
Rep. Ryan Spain said Democrats proposed the measure in direct response to a lawsuit over the current district maps, which Republicans lost last year due to legal technicalities.
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch told lawmakers the amendment is in an effort to preempt a potential repeal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
If passed, the proposal will leave the decision up to Illinois voters in the November midterm elections.
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