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Redistricting Fails
Illinois can expect more of the same when it comes to drawing legislative districts. The House of Representatives rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that purported to make the process more open and less political. The maps are drawn every 10 years by lawmakers. This year, both Democrats and Republicans pushed separate plans to reform the system and take the map drawing out of legislators' hands.

The measure, sponsored by State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), would have put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot, but it fell short by two votes. It needed 71 votes to satisfy a three-fifths majority. The vote was strictly partisan with Republicans voting against the bill.

Currie says she was not surprised the measure failed, and said Republicans were fearful of language in the bill protecting the rights of minority groups in the process. The Republicans say their plan, the Fair Map Amendment, was adequate in protecting minority's rights. A citizens' amendment effort to put language similar to the Republicans' plan on the ballot is ongoing.

(Illinois Radio Network)
04 30 10 by Newsroom
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