Quincy Reporter

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch (D-Westchester) showed Democratic members of the house one-by-one where their lines for new districts could be drawn behind the locked doors of Capitol Complex, leaving many to debate if this is the transparency Illinois needs in the state. 

Welch's spokeswoman Jaclyn Driscoll told WCIA, "meeting with members is nothing new," and the process has been and will continue to be transparent. 

Illinois Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) said 75% of people asked wanted an independent map by the people, which is not the act of a transparent government. 

"Throughout the redistricting hearings, we heard over and over again how Illinoisans wanted more transparency. Partisan map-making behind locked doors is the exact opposite of what 75 percent of people favored when they said they wanted an independent process," Tracy said in a May 6 Facebook post. "We need to be working overtime to regain the trust of the people, to give them fair representation and to let THEM pick their elected officials. Locking everyone else out is not the answer."

While several state representatives refused questioning or gave vague answers, some did confirm the reports that they were looking at the new preliminary redistricting lines.

The complete U.S. Census data is scheduled for release in late September. The delay has complicated redistricting, but lawmakers continue to press forward to meet a state constitutional deadline of June 30 for the governor to sign an updated map. 

“Soon, we will file the map, and the public will be given a chance to weigh in, including at additional public hearings,” Driscoll said. “We’ve conducted roughly 30 public hearings listening to Illinoisans from all corners of the state about what their communities look like to them.”

Democrats said the mapping process is transparent as it reflects the conversations people have had across the state of where they want new districts drawn. Republicans have countered that statement by saying that public turnout to the meetings has been low, and Democrats should wait until the final census data report before redistricting. 

Some who did speak to WCIA said the mapping process can continue to change and will most likely have more revisions before it is finalized.