Southern Illinois News

Republican lawmakers have called out Gov. J.B. Pritzker for reneging on a promise he made while he was campaigning to support an independent map making process after Pritzker signed the Democrat-backed maps into law.

Republicans had vehemently opposed the maps and were joined by government reform groups in asking Democrats to hold off on redrawing the district lines until the state received updated data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

"I am disappointed but not surprised that the governor decided to go pack on his word to the people," Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) wrote in a June 4 Facebook post. "What he has done today demonstrates that his priorities aren't about representing the people of Illinois, but about safeguarding partisan power for his party over the next decade."

Pritzker signed the maps into law on June 4, a week after his Democratic colleagues pushed the legislation through the General Assembly. Even though the new maps don't take effect until 2023, lawmakers hoping to represent those districts have to run for election next year. 

During a news conference, House GOP Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) said Pritzker "sold out" and broke his promise even though the day before signing the bill, he told the media he was "undecided."

Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) wouldn't specify whether Republicans would challenge the maps in court, but noted they'd explore available options "to return power to the people once again."