Will County Gazette

With a new fair maps bill making its way through the Illinois Senate, the time is fast approaching to redraw the state's notoriously gerrymandered districts, Illinois Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) said in a recent social media post.

"We have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to redraw the legislative and congressional districts here in Illinois," Haas said in an April 5 post to her Facebook page. "Historically, this has been an extremely partisan process — and it's even more complicated this time around because federal census data has been delayed."

Haas and other Republican lawmakers have been pushing their plan known as the People's Independent Maps Act. If approved, the legislation would nullify the Democratic majority in the House and Senate when it comes to redistricting. That power would shift to an independent redistricting commission with the state Supreme Court appointing the members. The commission, which would have seven Democrats and Republicans and two independents, would create the new maps for 2021. 

Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis of Taylorsville

Under Illinois' Constitution, lawmakers must pass a new legislative map by June 30 of the year following the U.S. Census, which was in 2020. If that doesn't happen, an eight-person bipartisan panel is supposed to be created. Should that group be locked in a tie, Illinois' Secretary of State would randomly choose a ninth member to break that tie.

Haas' comments on her Facebook page came the same day she participated in a committee hearing about redistricting. 

"The map-making process in Illinois must be fair and transparent," Haas said. "Polls have shown that more than 75% of Illinois voters support an independent process that puts citizens in control of drawing election districts instead of politicians. We need your help to make this happen! Please engage in the process."