Despite opposition, Illinois Democrats in General Assembly continue with proposed maps

From THE CENTER SQUARE

With the end of the spring session for the Illinois Legislature just days away, it’s expected the Democratic supermajority will pass new district boundaries. 

Some advocacy groups oppose the maps that have been proposed so far.

Democrats released proposed maps late Friday and another release of Google Map files on Sunday. Hearings this week are getting feedback from various groups.

Longtime Illinois politics observer Kent Redfield said Democrats are hedging their bets.

“To pass a map with the data that they’ve got and then take their chances with the state supreme court and with federal district courts,” Redfield said. “The Democrats have to pass the budget, deal with his legislative agenda, he’s not going to veto the map…that’s my expectation.”

The spring session ends on May 31. If lawmakers don’t pass maps by then, the governor or the Speaker of the House and Senate President could call a special session to approve the new boundaries for the governor’s signature.

If maps based on ACS data are passed, they could be challenged in court.