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This just in… Quinn signs state legislative redistricting bill

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Illinois

* 4:23 pm - Gov. Pat Quinn just signed the state legislative redistricting bill. From a press release…

“Ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard in government is crucial to our democracy. For the first time, the people of Illinois have been able to participate in public hearings and have their voices heard in drawing their legislative districts. I would like to commend lawmakers for significantly increasing openness and transparency in the remap process,” said Governor Quinn. “I commend Sen. Kwame Raoul and Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie for their leadership in drafting a map that better represents the interest of our diverse communities.”

* The congressional redistricting bill is still awaiting his signature. More on that topic…

In a letter to Gov. Pat Quinn, several Illinois businessmen and former GOP members of Congress called on him to veto the new congressional redistricting map, arguing that it is both unconstitutional and unfair.

The letter senders represent a nonprofit group, the Committee for a Fair and Balanced Map, that has been raising money for months to mount a legal challenge to the remap.

The letter telegraphs the grounds for a potential lawsuit, arguing that the preliminary map drawn by the Democrat-controlled Illinois House and Senate does not meet Constitutional requirements that districts should be compact and center around communities of interest while protecting the interests of minorities.

“Instead, this proposal fractures longstanding communities with gerrymandered boundaries for apparent partisan purposes,” said the letter, signed by former Rockford GOP Rep. Lynn Martin, chair of the committee, and seven others.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 3, 11 @ 4:24 pm

Comments

That’s the first (and possible only) wise legislative thing that Quinn has done this session.

Comment by Spliff Friday, Jun 3, 11 @ 4:35 pm
I wouldn’t have even issued the press release. The more attention he draws to the map, the more media attention the legal challenges will get.

Most voters don’t even know how, when or why maps are redrawn. Toss your signature on it and enjoy… whatever it is you do on your weekends, Governor.

Comment by Obamarama Friday, Jun 3, 11 @ 4:48 pm
==with gerrymandered boundaries for apparent partisan purposes==

Duh. Isn’t that the point of having the luxury of drawing the maps?

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Jun 3, 11 @ 4:50 pm