Quinn Approves "Fair" Legislative Maps

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 24, 2011 9:45PM

Gov. Quinn put pen to paper and signed the newly drawn legislative maps into law. In a prepared statement, Quinn said of the gerrymandering, "This map is fair, maintains competitiveness within congressional districts and protects the voting rights of minority communities."

How fair is the new Congressional map? Depends on whether you vote Democrat or Republican. Springfield Democrats, by virtue of holding on to the State Legislature, did their Congressional brethren a solid, redrawing boundaries so that five Republicans incumbents face tough re-election campaigns next year. Congressions Democrats such as Dan Lipinski had their districts redrawn so that they're shielded from a GOP challenge. Rep. Luis Gutierrez had his district boundaries extended to the point where it now includes his new home in Portage Park.

The "fair" remapping could erase the GOP gains from the 2010 midterm elections.

After the statement, 10 of 11 Illinois GOP congressmen and State Republican Party chairman Pat Brady cried j'accuse at the Democrats cartography abilities.

"This map is a national - not just a local - example of gerrymandering," Brady said in his statement. "Pat Quinn is the only one who could stand up with a straight face and say it’s a fair map."

The statement from the Illinois GOP delegation read “Despite his expressed desire for ‘openness and fairness,’ Gov. Quinn instead rewarded his Democrat allies by approving this highly partisan map that tears apart communities and disrespects the will of Illinois voters as expressed in last fall’s election." They also believe the maps will be overturned in a lawsuit expected to be filed by former Illinois Attorney General Tyrone Fahner and ex-U.S. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert.