(The Center Square) – A lawsuit has been filed with the Illinois Supreme Court in an effort to throw out the current legislative maps that the plaintiffs said are the result of extreme gerrymandering.
The complaint, filed by State Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, and five voters from districts they consider gerrymandered, asks the Supreme Court to appoint a special master to draft a new map.
“Drawn by the party in power, these maps are designed to entrench Illinois Democrats in control while silencing the voices of voters who support the minority party,” said McCombie. “The result? Rigged outcomes in general elections.”
The lawsuit alleges the current House map fails to meet a state constitutional requirement that districts be compact. A look at the current legislative maps confirms their argument, as many districts feature odd shapes.
State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, said in districts packed with voters from either party, there often is no competition.
“The volume of uncontested races means that almost half of the state representatives will represent Illinoisans not because they were elected and had to present their policy ideas to voters, but only because they submitted the right paperwork to the state Board of Elections,” said Ugaste.
Republicans also point to the chair of the Illinois House Redistricting Committee, a Democrat who openly admitted to partisan gerrymandering during floor debate.
Democrats have a majority on the Illinois Supreme Court, but the Republicans are hoping justices will take on the complaint and render a fair hearing.
“All voters should have a voice and whether you’re a Republican, a Democrat or an Independent,” said McCombie. “We have to fight the fight we can win right now, and this is one we feel we can win.”