McLean County Times

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed the state's new Democrat-backed legislative district maps into law even though community advocacy groups, government reform organizations and Republican lawmakers opposed them.

Democrats pushed the legislation through the General Assembly a week before Pritzker signed it on June 4. 

"For years we have been fighting to have legislative maps drawn by an independent commission instead of politicians. Around 75% of Illinois voters support this concept. However, today, the governor officially signed partisan maps drawn by Illinois politicians into law," Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) wrote in a June 4 post on her Facebook page. 

Under the law the maps won't take effect for two more years, but elections to select the lawmakers who'll represent the new districts are scheduled for next year, according to Tri State Public Radio. Republicans and other groups aimed at making changes to government had asked Democrats this spring to hold off on the new maps until the state received official data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

After Pritzker signed the bill, his Democratic colleague House Speaker Emmanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) called the measure a "win" for the people of Illinois. Welch also said residents can be assured the maps were reflective of the state's diversity St. Lois Public Radio reported. 

Other Republicans joined Rezin in her sentiments. House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said Pritzker "sold out" and "lied" to the voters when he reneged on a promise he made to support an independent map-making process while campaigning.