Written by Raoul Staff Thursday, 18 February 2010 17:00
SPRINGFIELD, IL- Leaders Cross and Radogno introduced HJRCA 56 and SJRCA 104 in their respective chambers today with claims the legislation will lead to a fair map for all Illinoisans. Redistricting Chair Kwame Raoul released the following statement today concerning the Republican’s redistricting reform proposal:
During my tenure as the Chair of the Senate’s Redistricting Committee, I’ve conducted legislative hearings on all of the redistricting proposals in a fair, open and transparent way. The last hearing – which centralized around the Voting Rights Act – contained testimony from the League of Women Voters.
That particular hearing contained testimony from experts that testified that the citizen initiative heralded and sponsored by Leaders Cross & Radogno would have negative implications on communities of interest as it relates to the Voting Rights Act. Unfortunately, at the end of the hearing we heard that the "train has already left the station" placing the value of printed petitions over the reforms necessary. I understand that citizens are interested in and are demanding reform. It is important, however, that citizens have accurate information about the Republican’s so-called reform. While the Republican proposal does offer a way to change the current redistricting process, it will have adverse effects on minority voters. I encourage my Republican colleagues to be honest about their proposal and I ask for their continued commitment to diversity as we seek redistricting reform. I will be presenting a modified version of the Paul Simon Institute’s proposal Tuesday at the Midwest Democracy Forum which will outline ways to reform the process without taking away the voice of communities of interest.
Senator Raoul Menu
13th District
Years served: 2004 - Present
Committee assignments: Committee of the Whole; Judiciary; Pensions and Investments (Chairperson); Consumer Protection; Redistricting (Chairperson); Criminal Law (Vice-Chairperson); Telecommunications & Technology; Criminal Law Subcomm. Const. Review (Sub-Chairperson); Subcommittee on Pension Reform (Sub-Chairperson); Crim. Law Subcom Enhance/Redundancy.
Biography: Attorney; born September 30, 1964; Bachelor's degree from DePaul University; J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law; married (wife, Kali), has two children.