McLean County Times

State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Normal) says the will of the people is being totally disregarded by Democrats now working on map redistricting.

“Members of the Illinois House Democratic Caucus (were) here yesterday giving their update on what they deem to be significant matters here in Illinois. (They) talked about budget updates where they claimed that they were working with Republicans,” Brady said at a May 14 news conference. “Last time I checked, our caucus budget chair was not included on any part of budget negotiations. Another thing, we saw were House Democrats going in and out of the map room across the street viewing the maps that they drew without official census data based on legislative feedback.”

Brady said it’s all come to fit a pattern in Springfield that’s only proving to make life more difficult for many residents across the state.

“On Monday, it'll be exactly two weeks until the end of the legislative session," Brady said. "As per usual, unfortunately at the eleventh hour here in Springfield, the House blindsides the people of Illinois and jams down their throats another new set of gerrymandered maps that will include simply the old way of doing things and that is just simply unacceptable.”

During his days as a candidate, Gov. Pritzker vowed to veto any map drawn by politicians. While the task normally goes to the party in control, GOP lawmakers are hopeful delays in receiving data will open the door to them having a greater say in the process this cycle.

Bylaws dictate if a new map is not completed by a June 30 deadline, a bipartisan commission with four members from each party chosen by party leaders will supervise redistricting.