* Jeanne Ives…
I have filed a federal lawsuit against Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois State Board of Elections, and its executive director for violating the United States Constitution through Illinois’ race-based legislative mapping process.
Represented by attorneys from the Public Interest Legal Foundation, I am challenging the explicit use of race as a primary factor in drawing legislative district boundaries in Illinois.
I wish there was a good sigh emoji out there because I’d use it multiple times a day.
* From the Illinois Voting Rights Act…
In any redistricting plan pursuant to Article IV, Section 3 of the Illinois Constitution, Legislative Districts and Representative Districts shall be drawn, subject to subsection (d) of this Section, to create crossover districts, coalition districts, or influence districts. The requirements imposed by this Article are in addition and subordinate to any requirements or obligations imposed by the United States Constitution, any federal law regarding redistricting Legislative Districts or Representative Districts, including but not limited to the federal Voting Rights Act, and the Illinois Constitution.
* And what are crossover, coalition and influence districts? Back to the statute…
The phrase “crossover district” means a district where a racial minority or language minority constitutes less than a majority of the voting-age population but where this minority, at least potentially, is large enough to elect the candidate of its choice with help from voters who are members of the majority and who cross over to support the minority’s preferred candidate. The phrase “coalition district” means a district where more than one group of racial minorities or language minorities may form a coalition to elect the candidate of the coalition’s choice. The phrase “influence district” means a district where a racial minority or language minority can influence the outcome of an election even if its preferred candidate cannot be elected.
* The aforementioned subsection (d)…
Nothing in this Act shall be construed, applied, or implemented in a way that imposes any requirement or obligation that conflicts with the United States Constitution, any federal law regarding redistricting Legislative Districts or Representative Districts, including but not limited to the federal Voting Rights Act, or the Illinois Constitution.
* From her lawsuit…
Plaintiff Jeanne Ives is an Illinois resident and voter who is injured by the Illinois Voting Rights Act’s requirement of drawing district boundaries with racial goals and with racial purposes. Plaintiff will continue to suffer this injury while the Illinois Voting Rights Act continues to be in force. This injury can only be redressed by this Court declaring the Illinois Voting Rights Act unconstitutional and enjoining its use. Plaintiff seeks a declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, expert fees, and attorneys’ fees, including litigation expenses and costs, pursuant to 52 U.S.C § 10310(e) and 42 U.S.C. § 1988. […]
STANDING […]
Plaintiff has been placed in racially engineered districts.
By voting age population, her former 42nd House District is 5 percent Black, 10 percent Asian and 8 percent Hispanic. Her state Senate district is about the same, with a bit more Asian Americans. Her congressional district (6) is also 75 percent White. She resides in Wheaton, which is about 77 percent White.
C’mon. They couldn’t find a better plaintiff?
* However…
- That Guy - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 9:32 am:
Doesn’t matter if they can find a better plaintiff. All they have to do is get this to SCOUTS and their wishes will be granted.
Party over sound judicial practices.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 9:34 am:
The old song “How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away?” may well have been written with Ives in mind….
- Arsenal - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 9:39 am:
I’d say that Ives wouldn’t like the kind of districts the GA would draw if they don’t have to worry about creating VRA seats, but…
…she actually doesn’t care, it’s LaHood who really won’t like it.
- here we go again - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 9:43 am:
After voters got to know her Ives couldn’t win an election. And she’s very bitter about it. She’ll do anything for attention. Republicans don’t call her Judas Ives for nothing.
- RNUG - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 9:48 am:
While there are districts in Illinois where you could validly make that claim, her’s isn’t one of them.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 9:56 am:
===C’mon. They couldn’t find a better plaintiff?===
The grievances that white nationalists and other fascists come up with usually aren’t based on reality.
The Ives cut of the Blues Brothers would be a very different movie.
- RNUG - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:05 am:
Adding … I would expect her suit is eventually thrown out for lack standing or lack of proof of actual injury.
- H-W - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:06 am:
Should she win, perhaps a new map can favor an all Democrat outcome, which akin to what is going on in Republican states.
- Macon Deliberations - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:08 am:
All she had to say is that Wheaton is carved up and call it a day, but she had to make it about herself.
- Annon'in - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:12 am:
Gosh It is so good to see CommandoIves back in the news (besides her broadcast rants with 2 piece) and the weekly emails. We bet she was really feeling lonely and unneeded (which she is)
Now perhaps she will be faced with depositions where she can be quizzed on a variety of issues. Sounds like fun. Great start to new week.
- Incandenza - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:14 am:
== All they have to do is get this to SCOUTS and their wishes will be granted. ==
Though it’s unfortunate, it’s likely true.
- Demoralized - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:19 am:
==All they have to do is get this to SCOUTS and their wishes will be granted==
If their wish is to get a worse map. I’m sure Illinois will be happy to redistrict based on a partisan map. They’ll get Republican representation in Congress down to one person. So bring it on.
- Howdy - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:22 am:
The US Supreme Court, whether it want’s to admit it or not has set us back to a time before 1965. That works if you believe that folks are not racially biased, but that is fiction. Just sad.
- Demoralized - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:23 am:
It’s unbelievable to me that a Supreme Court would make racism legal again.
- @misterjayem - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:39 am:
Was it a head injury?
– MrJM
- Lee Elia - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:39 am:
54% of Illinois voters chose the Democratic nominee for President in 2024, but somehow they control 82% of the congressional seats.
Chicago has 2.7 million people of 12.7 million who live in Illinois (21%) but somehow has 7 of the 17 Congress members (41%) representing it.
This is Democracy in Illinois.
- Just a Random Guy - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:45 am:
=which akin to what is going on in Republican states.=
Cool story. Go check out the northeast and report back to us on what you see.
- JS Mill - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:51 am:
= This is Democracy in Illinois.=
Now explain how the republicans cannot get one single solitary statewide elected where districts are meaningless.
As Demoralized stated, a purely political map, like the ones dream up in Tennessee and other southern states could eliminate ALL congressional seats for the hop and further reduce the state level seats in the house and state senate.
Democracy indeed.
- AlabamaShake - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 10:58 am:
**54% of Illinois voters chose the Democratic nominee for President in 2024, but somehow they control 82% of the congressional seats.**
SCOTUS literally just said that partisan gerrymandering is perfectly fine.
**Chicago has 2.7 million people of 12.7 million who live in Illinois (21%) but somehow has 7 of the 17 Congress members (41%) representing it.**
Weird that you wouldn’t include the constituents in those districts that don’t live in Chicago.
I’m also sure that you’re now mad that Memphis represents 8% of TN but will not have 30% of TN’s members of Congress representing it. Right?
- twowaystreet - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 11:08 am:
The Supreme Court ruled that Section 2 only protected racial minority if there was an intent to discriminate.
It did not rule that states couldn’t have laws that protect against discrimination that go beyond intent.
The court would have to go further and say that states can’t protect against racial discrimination.
- Google is Your Friend - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 11:08 am:
It’s already established by a federal court that political considerations were the concern in Illinois state legislative redistricting in 2021. Under the legal standards proclaimed by John Roberts and Samuel Alito, there is nothing for a court to review in Ives’ suit.
https://redistricting.lls.edu/wp-content/uploads/IL-McConchie-20211230-Final-Order.pdf
- Juice - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 11:12 am:
Lee Elia, pretty sure that only 5 members of the Illinois delegation (29%) live in Chicago, not 7.
- Jocko - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 11:14 am:
==who is injured by the Illinois Voting Rights Act’s requirement==
::insert Seymour Skinner gif::
“Is it my fault the voters picked Sean Casten? No. It’s the democrats who committed wrongdoing.”
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 11:24 am:
===Under the legal standards proclaimed by John Roberts and Samuel Alito, there is nothing for a court to review in Ives’ suit===
While I would tend to agree with you, the Supreme Court has become, to many, a giant game of Calvin Ball.
- twowaystreet - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 11:26 am:
==54% of Illinois voters chose the Democratic nominee for President in 2024, but somehow they control 82% of the congressional seats.
==
You’re using one election to justify your argument. Trends happen over time, not just cherry picking the one year that best backs up your claim.
Also, as others point out, the Supreme Court ruled that states should have at with partisan gerrymandering so it’s only going to get worse for Republicans in Illinois as it will get worse for Democrats in Republican-controlled states.
- The apologist - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 11:34 am:
She is so desperate to be noticed.
She is so desperate to be relevant.
- Demoralized - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 11:34 am:
==This is Democracy in Illinois.==
Are you really so obtuse or do you intend to be a troll? Have you been sleeping under a rock as all of this redistricting is going on around the country? I don’t hear you whining and moaning about Texas or Tennessee or Lousiana or any other number of places where Republicans have gerrymandered Democrats out of existence.
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 11:44 am:
“While I would tend to agree with you, the Supreme Court has become, to many, a giant game of Calvin Ball.”
Rich,I disagree.
Calvin Ball looks to be more fun and a whole lot less harmless.
- Lee Elia - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 11:46 am:
Not being obtuse in any way.
The Illinois maps preceded your examples.
- Demoralized - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 12:06 pm:
==Not being obtuse in any way.==
Then I look forward to your similar outrage on Republican drawn maps. I won’t hold my breath though.
- SJOH - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 12:12 pm:
==It’s unbelievable to me that a Supreme Court would make racism legal again==
Upsetting, yes. Immoral, yes. Unfortunate, yes. But is it very believable.
- Johnny B - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 12:32 pm:
Racism is the belief, action or institutional structure that ranks human beings based on race, resulting in prejudice, discrimination or systemic inequality.
The US Supreme Court has made it illegal to draw legislative districts based on race.
- Demoralized - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 12:39 pm:
There was a reason for the Voting Rights Act @Johnny B. We are seeing that reason play out since the Supreme Court’s decision to bring back racism in voting.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 12:41 pm:
Johnny B, the Voting Rights Act was crafted to counter official state racism against minorities, particular Black minorities. Those regulations have now been lifted, and… guess what? Those very same states are now trying to draw Black and Latino districts out of existence.
But you do you.
- Johnny B - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 12:55 pm:
Stating what the Supreme Court ruled is not me being me, it’s just stating what happened.
I’m not a Supreme Court Judge so blame them not me if you don’t like the ruling.
- Johnny B - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 1:01 pm:
The Latino districts in the Southwest are mostly in Florida and are Republican leaning, driven by Cuban Americans, so highly unlikely those will be drawn out of existence.
- DuPage Saint - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 1:04 pm:
I truly believe that with the change in the collar counties from Republican to Democrat and the shrinking Republican base that the Illinois Democrats have an opportunity to almost draw a model redistricting plan for the country and add democratic seats. That would make them a poster boy for good government
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 1:05 pm:
===so blame them not me===
lol
Y’all really want to speak without challenge everywhere you go.
- Demoralized - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 1:10 pm:
==it’s just stating what happened==
Without any thought of the consequences from you. But thanks for the “explanation.”
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 1:21 pm:
===Republican leaning, driven by Cuban Americans, so highly unlikely those will be drawn out of existence.===
All up in arms about redistricting using race that favors Democrats, but totally accepting of redistricting using race to favor Republicans.
I mean, fine, but just realize how all over the place you are.
- Annon'in - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 1:55 pm:
Lookee here. Bloomberg Law now reporting CommandoIves suit as if it where real and not just some Mad Magazine/April Fools prank. Next she’ll be dancin the 2 step with Beck and Hannity
- JS Mill - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 2:27 pm:
=The Illinois maps preceded your examples.=
Ahhh, the old he hit me first argument. Gotcha.
Well, since you want to discuss history…it actually started I. The south first with gerrymandering districts (along with a slew of laws aimed at disenfranchising black) so that there would be no black representation. That was right after the civil war.
- Teacher Lady - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 3:36 pm:
==”Was it a head injury?”==
MrJM wins (banned punctuation)
- low level - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 4:02 pm:
==54% of Illinois voters chose the Democratic nominee for President in 2024, but somehow they control 82% of the congressional seats.==
Your sorry party hasnt won one statewide election since when? 2014? Based on that, Democrats should have 100% of the Congressional seats, not just 82%.
- anne - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 4:12 pm:
She lives in District 3, which was in fact drawn to create a Latino advantage district. Delia Ramirez representing Wheaton is a joke.
- Demoralized - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 4:15 pm:
==Delia Ramirez representing Wheaton is a joke.==
I guess go ahead and show your true colors. That wasn’t at all racist.
- B - Monday, May 11, 26 @ 5:42 pm:
Just for everyone who is arguing with Lee Elia and or Sue, they are the same pathetic and lying person using multiple names to try to show support for their pathetic lying.