* 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.
- 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.