South Central Reporter

Illinois House Democrats have reportedly withdrawn behind closed doors at the state Capitol to draw the new legislative district maps.

The public has yet to see the new maps, and Democrats have been tight-lipped about releasing details, but anonymous sources revealed to WCIA News that lawmakers were meeting to review early drafts of the legislative district maps. 

Illinois Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Vandalia) criticized the lack of transparency in the process. Republicans have been applying public pressure to get Democrats to agree to a proposal that would create a citizens' commission to create the new district maps. Typically, the majority power creates the redistricting maps, in this case, the Democrats. 

"This blatant activity is occurring after dozens of hearings where minority groups, good gov't groups, and numerous other witnesses from across the political spectrum and from all parts of Illinois have literally begged the majority party to hear their concerns, allow their input, act with transparency, and make sure the remapping process puts citizens — not politicians — in charge," Plummer wrote in a May 10 Facebook post. "This is what they choose to do instead."

Lawmakers typically use population data from the U.S. Census Bureau to inform the mapmaking process, but that data has been significantly delayed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Illinois constitution states that lawmakers and the governor have until June 30 to approve a map. If that deadline is missed, an eight-member bipartisan commission must be formed with four members from each party to finish redrawing the districts by Aug. 10.

The speaker’s office has said that the public will have a chance to review the proposed district maps and provide input before finalizing the plans.