Quinn Signs Redistricting Legislation

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 6, 2011 1:00PM

"To the victors go the spoils." That's how the saying goes and it's apropos after Gov. Quinn signed into law the new Democratic-drawn legislative maps. The new maps have been bent in such a way that Republicans will be pitted against each other in some districts, while others have been made more friendly to Democratic political interests.

Quinn said in a signing statement Friday the were "fair" and "competitive."

"Ensuring that everyone's voice is heard in government is crucial to our democracy," Quinn said. "For the first time, the people of Illinois have been able to participate in public hearings and have their voices heard in drawing their legislative districts. I want to commend lawmakers for significantly increasing openness and transparency in the remap process."

Illinois GOP chairman Pat Brady begged to differ.

"The maps created have been done so purely out of the self-interest and self-preservation of incumbent Democrats, to the detriment of taxpayers, Hispanics, Republican and independent voters."

The maps could be subject to a court challenge and not just from the Illinois GOP. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund have criticized the new maps for not accounting for the 33 percent growth in the Latino population in greater Chicago area in their redistricting and feel state Democrats haven't created enough districts to reflect that growth.