In my last column, I discussed the importance of Voter ID in addressing voter fraud and protecting democracy. Another significant threat to democracy is the gerrymandering of legislative maps, a practice that distorts fair representation and undermines voter choice. Democrats do it in Democrat-controlled states and Republicans do it in Republican-controlled states. But I would suggest that in Illinois we do not have a map that simply tips the scale toward the Democrat majority; it destroys the scale. In my opinion, the Illinois maps are the most egregious and poorly-drawn in the country.
In the map above you can see the Illinois Senate legislative map on the left, the map for Chicago-area Senate districts in the middle, and the Senate map for the State of Iowa on the right.
Legislative district boundaries are redrawn every ten years after the official U.S. Census to adjust for population shifts. The remap process is meant to ensure that districts are roughly the same size and population. However, gerrymandering occurs when lawmakers deliberately manipulate these boundaries to benefit one political party, giving them an unfair advantage in elections.
When legislative maps are gerrymandered, politicians choose their voters instead of voters choosing their elected officials. Certain groups of voters—typically those who support one party—are either concentrated in a small number of districts (“packing”) or spread out across many districts (“cracking”). Both tactics result in unfair maps that do not accurately reflect the voting preferences of the population. A local example of this can be found in Polo, a small village in Ogle County with a population of about 2,200. Despite its size, the legislative boundary line is drawn through the middle of the town, dividing Polo voters into two different voting districts.
Another glaring example of gerrymandering in Illinois can be found in the state Senate map. More than 30 of the state’s 59 Senate districts have “tentacles” that reach into the City of Chicago. Since it takes 30 votes to pass a bill in the Senate, Chicago Democrats have ensured they can control the passage of virtually any legislation.
Gerrymandering also reduces the competitiveness of elections. In districts that are drawn to favor one party, incumbents are all but guaranteed re-election, regardless of their performance or how well they serve their constituents. Regular, competitive elections, which are crucial to a healthy democracy, incentivize elected officials to stay engaged with their communities, adjust policies to reflect public opinion, and maintain integrity. That’s why I conduct regular surveys of the 45th District to stay in tune with the priorities of my constituents.
The solution to gerrymandering is simple: we need to take the responsibility for drawing district maps out of the hands of partisan lawmakers and give it to a truly nonpartisan and independent commission. A great example of this can be found in Iowa, where legislative district boundaries are drawn by an independent commission. In Iowa, the map is primarily based on population, and the resulting districts are mainly a grid of squares and rectangles. The map-drawing process in Iowa is transparent, fair, and free from political manipulation, ensuring that voters’ voices are heard and that districts reflect the population rather than political power.
Illinois could learn a lot from Iowa’s approach, but unfortunately, those in power in Illinois have little incentive to give up control. In the new General Assembly, which begins in January 2025, I will once again sponsor legislation to end gerrymandering and ensure that legislative maps are drawn in a fair, transparent, and nonpartisan manner. I invite all legislators who value democracy to join me in this important initiative. It’s time for Illinois to put the needs of voters first and eliminate partisan manipulation of our legislative districts.
