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* From a Tribune editorial entitled “Gov. Pritzker should know: Ethics reform starts with a truly independent map”…
As corruption scandals worm through the establishment Democratic Party, Gov. J.B. Pritzker finds himself with new and unexpected leverage. He can push for meaningful ethics reform in Illinois government by removing the barricades his own party’s leaders erected in the past. Those Democrats are wounded. He is not.
So will he lead on real reform?
“Restoring the public’s trust is of paramount importance,” Pritzker said during last week’s State of the State address while his two chamber leaders — House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Don Harmon — stood at the dais behind him. “Let’s not let the well-connected and well-protected work the system while the interests of ordinary citizens are forgotten. There is too much that needs to be accomplished to lift up all the people of Illinois.”
That effort starts with drawing a fair map of legislative districts after this year’s federal census. It could happen through constitutional change. […]
Pritzker said as a candidate for governor he supported amending the Illinois Constitution to take the process out of the hands of lawmakers: “We should amend the constitution to create an independent commission to draw legislative maps.” More recently, he said he would not sign into law an unfair map.
But that’s not as strong a position as his call for an amendment. It gives him wiggle room to backtrack. Who defines “unfair”?
* OK, let’s start with the end of the above excerpt and work our way up. Before the 2018 primary, I asked all candidates this specific question…
Will you pledge as governor to veto any state legislative redistricting map proposal that is in any way drafted or created by legislators, political party leaders and/or their staffs or allies? The exception, of course, would be the final official draft by LRB.
Pritzker’s response…
Yes, I will pledge to veto. We should amend the constitution to create an independent commission to draw legislative maps, but in the meantime, I would urge Democrats and Republicans to agree to an independent commission to handle creating a new legislative map. That designated body should reflect the gender, racial, and geographic diversity of the state and look to preserve the Voting Rights Act decisions to ensure racial and language minorities are fully represented in the electoral process.
* To the editorial’s main point, does Pritzker now have the “leverage” to get this done? The editorial board cheered Rauner’s “leverage” for two solid years of budget impasse. Can Pritzker pass this with the bully pulpit alone, or will he have to do something more drastic? And if he does take drastic action, will the ends justify the means? What happens to the rest of the governor’s agenda if he goes all-in?
These and more questions should be pondered before rushing off to yet another potentially ruinous legislative war.
The Tribune roundly mocked the concept of “doable” agendas back in 2015 and we saw how that ended. Doable doesn’t mean nothing, it means bending the curve beyond where it’s been. Fiery populist thinking got us into a big mess during three straight administrations.
* All that being said, reformers are absolutely right to do their jobs and push the governor on this point. He has been awfully mum and the deadline to get this on the ballot is approaching. Pritzker should absolutely take some legit heat. I mean, the guy helped fund remap reform efforts for years. Put your agenda where your money was, governor.
The governor could, for instance, support one of the remap plans, like Sen. Julie Morrison’s proposed constitutional amendment that’s co-sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Bill Cunningham.
Pritzker said during the campaign that the state should amend the constitution to enact redistricting reform. He’s actually been pretty good at keeping his campaign promises. But this one stands out as almost completely unaddressed.
I think the trick here is to not over-learn the mistakes of the populist past, while still maintaining an even-enough keel.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:11 am
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While I support reapportionment reform, it should not include Congressional seats. In fact, if it is all or nothing, willing to wait. Congressional reform would unilateral disarmament, empowering the Louie Gomerts of the world. When ALL the states do Congressional reform, then Illinois should do so.
Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:21 am
It’s just a guess, I could be wrong. But, JB wants to focus in on the progressive income tax for 2020. Anything more , at this time, might dilute the message.
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:22 am
In my opinion, map reform should be a low priority. This particular map was pretty darned fair. Also, most of the seat changes came as a result of changing demographics and not an overly partisan map. Who would have predicted 10 years ago that DuPage and Lake Counties would have turned so blue.
Comment by Powdered Whig Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:36 am
To this;
=== The editorial board cheered Rauner’s “leverage” for two solid years of budget impasse. Can Pritzker pass this with the bully pulpit alone, or will he have to do something more drastic? And if he does take drastic action, will the ends justify the means? What happens to the rest of the governor’s agenda if he goes all-in?===
The politics of reform still must deal with the reality of politics.
Rauner (and folks at the Ed Board) cheered, they also knew that the collateral damage to social service and higher ed was not the bug, the damage was a feature. Either way, Rauner was getting “something”, passively too.
The governing principle, “doing the doable” and the map to it, 60/30 signature, never changes to achieve policy successes.
What changes is what Rich also cites; the bending by all sides to achieve success. The idea of bringing as many along on this is far more important than appeasing the Right and the Left “goo-goos” who only see reform as it wants, no matter the means or damage.
I think it would behoove the governor to meet, privately, with Durkin, with Brady, then the three of them, and have a discussion with realistic political aims, and honest political asks.
Grandstanding here, why even attempt to seem logical to the outcome of your politics to achieve it if its too damaging?
It’s truly about the “folks on the stairs”, and what those folks on the stairs can get with that needed signature too.
Ironically, reform for its own sake will require the politics of compromise and horse trading, and a great deal of bipartisan help.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:40 am
The Dems will write a map in secret, it will pass both chambers the same day, and the Governor will sign it that night and then not have any public events for a week. J.B. will justify it to himself by saying this spoon full of corrupt medicine will enable him to get the rest of his agenda passed.
Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:41 am
=When ALL the states do Congressional reform, then Illinois should do so.=
“I’ll do the right thing when everyone else does.” Real spirit of leadership there…
=Also, most of the seat changes came as a result of changing demographics and not an overly partisan map.=
Redistricting reform doesn’t just help the minority party. The current system is used to draw districts to protect incumbents as well as the majority party. A fair map would likely lead to a few more competitive generals, but it would just as likely lead to more competitive primaries.
Comment by phenom_Anon Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:42 am
Picking up on Anyone Remember’s point, Rep. Bob Morgan introduced a bill called the “Corporate Giveaways Compact” that would attempt to get states to stop with race-to-the-bottom tax giveaways.
In a similar vein, an interstate compact on redistricting would be a lot more appealing than seeing Democratic unilateral disarmament in Illinois while states like OH, TX, and FL continue their GOP gerrymandering ways.
Our Illinois goo-goos, most of whom like to style themselves as fighting for the little guy and above it all, never really seem to consider the potentially horrible real life consequences for those who have to live under the policies enacted by the modern, extremist GOP. They just keep beating that drum, as if it were 1982 and conditions haven’t significantly changed.
So, governor and would-be-Democratic President Pritzker, if you’ve got to break a campaign promise, this isn’t one that voters, other than those employed by the Trib, BGA and groups of a similar ilk, are going to hold against you.
Comment by Moe Berg Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:46 am
=== A fair map would likely lead to a few more competitive generals, but it would just as likely lead to more competitive primaries. ===
Well indulge me for a second. Provide me with some examples of districts (non-Congressional) that are currently unfairly drawn. Not saying they are out there - just asking for my own educational purposes.
Comment by Powdered Whig Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:48 am
several points
The Tribbies influences almost no one and hates the fair tax.
It would be entertaining if the Tribbies or “reformers” offer a vision of what the fruits of a “fair map” legislature might produce. Lower taxes, smoother roads, etc.
Meanwhile the current system ensures compliance with the federal and state voting rights act.
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:50 am
Whig- Sue Scherer and Andy Manar.
Comment by Ike Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:53 am
It’s the sole reason Scherer is in office.
Comment by Pick a Name Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:56 am
I wish the governor luck on this point, but I do not think he can find any sort of middle ground. As with pensions, Republicans are not interested in actual improvements. Durkin and Brady are not going to participate in drawing a bipartisan map or creating a diverse commission to draw a map, because it means giving up on the Constitutional amendment.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:58 am
=== Whig- Sue Scherer and Andy Manar. ===
That district has significant African American populations in both Decatur and Springfield. I believe there were Voting Rights Act considerations in the drawing of this district.
Comment by Powdered Whig Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 12:09 pm
=== It’s the sole reason Scherer is in office. ===
If I recall she had some tough primaries early on in her career.
Comment by Powdered Whig Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 12:11 pm
- Powdered Whig - Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:48 am:
Here is a hypothetical map for Illinois
https://twitter.com/politicswolf/status/915583092491935744?lang=en
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 12:14 pm
Heh. Good ol Mapes.
https://twitter.com/a_r_berg/status/1225118376353304577?s=21
Comment by Tawk Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 12:34 pm
=== - Powdered Whig - Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 11:48 am:
Here is a hypothetical map for Illinois
https://twitter.com/politicswolf/status/915583092491935744?lang=en ===
I said non-Congressional maps
Comment by Powdered Whig Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 12:55 pm
Will “fairer” apportionment accomplish anything absent term limits? Or will the same well heeled pols merely be able to buy “fair” districts in perpetuity?
Comment by Heyseed Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 1:07 pm
Let’s bring back the bedsheet ballot.
Comment by Boots Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 1:14 pm
=== Will “fairer” apportionment accomplish anything absent term limits? Or will the same well heeled pols merely be able to buy “fair” districts in perpetuity? ===
I would argue neither changing the map process or term limits will do anything other that change the membership of the General Assembly. It will not have an impact on anything else.
Comment by Powdered Whig Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 1:22 pm
Boots
“Let’s bring back the bedsheet ballot.”
You do know the bedsheet ballot is what, indirectly, gave us Mike McClain, right?
Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 1:47 pm
Forget it. Were Durkin and Brady leaders of the majority party, w a Repub governor, I doubt the Tribune and Republicans would be so enamoured by this “Fair Map” stuff.
I learned early on beware of anything promoted as “fair” in politics, but this is fair to me: Democrats have won all statewide elections by a good margin, they should draw the map as they see fit. That’s fair.
Comment by low level Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 1:48 pm
==- Powdered Whig - Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 1:22 pm:==
I suppose the point you are trying to make is that ugly looking districts aren’t inherently unfair. And as some have addressed in other posts, what is really fair? If you want to draw a zillion 50-50 districts, you could. They’d be terribly gerrymandered to achieve that purpose of competitiveness.
By some metrics through a couple of elections, the current legislative maps are fair.
https://planscore.org/illinois/#!2016-plan-statehouse-eg
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 1:53 pm
===the current legislative maps are fair.===
It is inherently unfair that incumbents draw the maps.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 2:10 pm
==Doable doesn’t mean nothing, it means bending the curve beyond where it’s been.==
There’s something to be said for compromise, if achievable. Presumably MJM isn’t particularly interested. What about Harmon? He claims to be a progressive. After backtracking, would JB compromise, or does he just want it to go away? Would Durkin and Brady compromise, or do they want an issue to talk about? You might ask the same question about the Trib.
Some bipartisanship might start the ball rolling.
Comment by Anonanonsir Wednesday, Feb 5, 20 @ 3:40 pm