Posted by Monique Garcia at 1:22 p.m.
As lawmakers in Springfield prepare to vote on a proposal to change the way state House and Senate districts are drawn, Gov. Pat Quinn today said he’s not a fan of the plan his fellow Democrats drafted.
The governor said that he doesn’t see the proposed changes "as moving the ball forward all that much" and worries districts will be crafted to protect sitting lawmakers instead of reflecting a particular geographic area.
"It’s awfully complicated," Quinn said. "I’m not sure if it’s a reform or not, to be honest."
The proposal, which already passed the Senate, would place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot asking voters to approve a process that would give lawmakers a stronger hand in drawing legislative boundaries. The House could vote on the idea as soon as this afternoon, though Democrats would need at least one Republican vote to reach the three-fifths margin needed for approval.
"I just think the best way to have redistricting is to set up competitive districts that are not gerrymandered to make sure the people have the best representatives," said Quinn after a groundbreaking ceremony in Glenview for a
pharmaceutical company building its headquarters there with $4 million in tax credits. "Too often this is an exercise of protecting incumbents of both parties. I don’t think that’s healthy."
While Quinn isn’t backing the proposed changes, his opposition is unlikely to derail the proposal as it’s a question that goes directly to voters and does not require his approval. Still, Quinn said if he’s elected in November he will work to bring about comprehensive changes.
"I’ve always felt that redistricting has been way too political in our state, by both parties. So if I’m governor I’m going to try and be the person who makes sure we do it right for the people and not for the politicians."
Republicans joined by government reform groups have an alternative redistricting plan, but Democrats defeated it this week. The Democratic criticism is that the Republican plan takes the map-drawing process out of the hands of lawmakers who will be impacted by it.