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A bipartisan group of State Senators asked the Supreme Court to uphold the Independent Map Amendment:

“The court should uphold the democratic rights of Illinoisans and allow a vote this November on whether a new redistricting system should become part of our state Constitution.”
[Chicago Tribune, 8/2/2016]

Editorial boards weighed in:

“If district lines are drawn so that representatives actually have to serve a constituency rather than a carefully selected clientele, government should become more responsive.”
[The Southern Illinoisan, 8/1/2016]

“Redistricting reform is also, we believe, entirely constitutional… It relies, not on a self-interested interpretation of that 1970 document by those trying to hold onto power, but where it should and must rest: On the intent of delegates who wrote a citizens initiative provision designed to ensure that the power to elect our legislature lies, not with those legislators, but the people.”
[The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus, 8/1/2016]

“We urge justices to put aside their political leanings, carefully study the merits of Independent Map Amendment, and give it their approval. We urge justices to overturn Judge Larsen’s ruling… which hangs upon technicalities that common sense would find unconvincing.”
[Sauk Valley Media, 7/28/2016]