ACTION NEEDED: 

Call your STATE REPRESENTATIVE and STATE SENATOR and urge them to support the Fair Maps Amendment, in the House ( HJRCA41) and in the Senate ( SJRCA18). 

A sample message that you can send is:

"I believe that voters should choose their elected officials, not the other way around. That's why I'm asking you to support the Fair Maps Amendment (HJRCA41 and SJRCA18), which was introduced in both the House and Senate on February 13th, with supporters from both sides of the aisle.
 
According to an independent poll, 67% of Illinoisans support Fair Maps, and I'm one of them. As your constituent, I hope we can count on your support and sponsorship of the Amendment."

If your State legislator is currently a supporter of either bill, please thank them for their support. 



AND...
In addition to your calls, please attend the Fair Maps Rally Day on March 26th  at the
State Capitol.  S howing that we have people power behind the Fair Maps Amendment in Springfield is critically important for lawmakers, leaders and the governor to see in person AND hear on the phone. Buses will be provided from Chicago and Suburban locations.
*Please let us know that you will be attending whether you are using the Change Illinois buses or not. We need to know you're coming and to better anticipate how many will be joining with us.
LWVIL POSITION:

LWVIL believes the responsibility for redistricting preferably should be vested in an independent special commission.
WHY IT MATTERS:

Redistricting determines political power. Every 10 years, when the U.S. Census data is released, political parties draw legislative boundaries that allow them to choose voters who are most likely to give them a political advantage on Election Day. This practice, known as gerrymandering, produces noncompetitive elections, career politicians, and governmental deadlock all because politicians have little to no reason to fear the consequences of being thrown out of office.
 
After this year's 2020 Census, new legislative maps will be drawn in 2021 which will be in effect for the next decade. A Constitutional Amendment to provide for an Independent Commission to draw maps needs to pass both houses of the IL General Assembly by May 3 to appear on the November 3, 2020 General Election Ballot.
 
We deserve competitive elections and fair representation. Voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around. It's time for an independent citizens' commission to draw legislative maps in Illinois.
 
#FairMaps #FairMapsIL #EndGerrymandering

Thank you for fighting the good fight,

Allyson Haut, LWVIL Board President
Jean Pierce and Rosemary Heilemann, Issues & Advocacy Co-Chairs 
Paula Lawson and Jane Ballengee, Redistricting Issues Specialists



League of Women Voters of Illinois
332 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 634, Chicago, IL  60604
Phone: (312) 939-5935  | Email:  [email protected]  | website:  www.lwvil.org
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