House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 28 (HJRCA 28), legislation of Illinois Democrats that would overhaul the state’s redistricting standards, was approved along party lines Wednesday afternoon.
The proposal, introduced by House Speaker Chris Welch, would establish a new five-part framework for drawing legislative maps, reducing the importance of compactness and opening the door to increased use of race and other subjective criteria in mapmaking.
During debate on the bill, State Representative Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) talked to Illinois voters, saying this constitutional amendment does not empower you…it will disenfranchise you.
Illinois has already faced national criticism for its redistricting practices. The Princeton Gerrymandering Project assigned Illinois an “F” grade for its legislative maps, while a 2023 report from Common Cause Illinois also gave the state an “F,” citing a lack of transparency and meaningful public input.
House Republicans also pointed to what they described as hypocrisy from Governor JB Pritzker, who campaigned on supporting fair maps and an independent redistricting process but ultimately signed partisan maps into law. Pritzker has been speaking out against gerrymandering in other states while ignoring the issue at home.
GOP House members are calling on Illinois residents to demand accountability and push for meaningful redistricting reform.