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Democrats passed maps along party lines for state House and
Senate Districts. The first set of maps, passed in May, were
based on estimates. Democrats then passed along party lines
revised maps this summer after final Census data was released.
Lawsuits from separate groups were filed in federal court which
struck down the first maps and said the revised maps could be
amended.
Plaintiffs attorneys separately representing minority rights
groups and Republicans presented their arguments against the
Democrats’ statehouse maps for hours Tuesday. Attorneys for the
Democrats defended the maps.
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
questioned whether the General Assembly can pass a “legal map”
before Dec. 27, 2021, a date laid out by the Illinois State
Board of Elections.
“If they can do that then we have no reason to object,” said
attorney Ernest Herrera who also argued for the Mexican American
Legal Defense and Educational Fund's proposed maps.
Attorney Ryan Snow, representing the NAACP, said the Democrats’
maps are racially gerrymandered and argued in favor of the
NAACP's plan and against sending the issue back to the
legislature for several reasons.
“One, they already took two chances with this and they shut out
communities of color from the process,” Snow said.
Statehouse Republicans’ attorneys argued for their plan, which
they said is unique.
“Our plan is the only plan that comes anywhere close to offering
Latinos a meaningful and equal opportunity to participate in the
system,” said attorney Mitch Holzrichter.
Attorneys for the Democrats defending the maps the governor
enacted, said the maps were approved by duly elected statehouse
lawmakers and enacted by the governor.
The three-judge federal panel said it is taking the issue under
advisement and is expected to make a decision in the weeks
ahead, but said it may request more information from the
litigants.
“I wish I could say I thought we’d have an opinion written by
next Tuesday, but that’s not going to happen,” Judge Robert M.
Dow, Jr. said, noting the dates for follow-up briefs could
change.
Maps would need to be in place before candidates for statehouse
seats for the June primary begin circulating petitions beginning
Jan. 13.
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