Title
A RESOLUTION URGING THE ILLINOIS HOUSE AND SENATE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEES TO POSTPONE MEETINGS TO GATHER ACCURATE REDISTRICTING DATA TO ELIMINATE GERRYMANDERING
Body
WHEREAS, obtaining an accurate count of the population is so vital to our democracy that the framers of the U.S. Constitution addressed the issue of apportionment in the opening paragraphs of the constitution; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Constitution requires Illinois lawmakers to redraw legislative districts each decade on the basis of population, so as to ensure each resident the same rights and access to government; and
WHEREAS, every ten years, Illinois lawmakers have the power to redraw their own state legislative districts and protect their seats against challengers; and
WHEREAS, this gerrymandering process results in legislators purposefully creating unfair districts that benefit political aspirations and harm our democracy; and
WHEREAS, gerrymandering predetermines outcomes, increases polarization, and produces uncompetitive elections, career politicians, and governmental deadlock, all because politicians have little to no reason to fear the consequences of being voted out of office; and
WHEREAS, gerrymandering is not a Democrat or Republican issue but is a democracy issue; and
WHEREAS, the citizens need maps that are drawn to truly represent the best interests of people across the state that allow them to meaningfully participate in our democracy; and
WHEREAS, Illinoisans deserve a truly transparent and equitable mapping process; and
WHEREAS, the Census Bureau has announced that the timeline for the release of census data would be delayed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, to date, state lawmakers have not demonstrated that current and accurate data will be used as required by the U.S. Constitution, Illinois Constitution and applicable laws; and
WHEREAS, witnesses from multiple advocacy groups have expressed concerns about the flawed redistricting plans; and
WHEREAS, using outdated and faulty data risks the disenfranchisement of voters; and
WHEREAS, a decade ago, during the last redistricting, voters in Orland Park were disenfranchised through the use of gerrymandering; and
WHEREAS, as one of the south suburban Cook County’s largest municipalities, it is important that Orland Park's representation in the Illinois General Assembly be unified in the smallest amount of legislative districts as possible, which allows the citizens of Orland Park to elect representatives that more directly reflect the community's interests and concerns; and
WHEREAS, it is important that district lines be compact, contiguous, and impartial to political party; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, Governor J.B. Pritzker campaigned for office on a promise to end the political gerrymandering that has made so many elected officials in this state comfortable to the point of being utterly unaccountable to anyone but their friends and donors; and
WHEREAS, Governor Pritzker has stressed that districts should be drawn so that they are competitive.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Orland Park, Cook and Will Counties, Illinois, as follows:
SECTION 1
The above recitals are incorporated by reference into this Section 1 and made a part hereof as though fully set forth herein.
SECTION 2
The Village President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Orland Park resolve to encourage the Illinois House and Senate Redistricting Committees to postpone meetings until leaders can ensure that current and accurate data will be available and used for the purposes of redistricting; so that general guidelines and uniform rules are established to ensure members of the public have ample time to prepare to participate in the process; and to incorporate more transparency and accountability into the process; and to guarantee a redistricting free of partisan gerrymandering and ensuring the full enfranchisement of all Illinois residents.
SECTION 3
This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its adoption as provided by law.