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Redistricting: Rebuilding the Foundation of Illinois Democracy

Redistricting: Rebuilding the Foundation of Illinois Democracy. David Hiller, McCormick Foundation CHANGE IL! Member Forum and Celebration March 16, 2010. How to Make a Failed State. How to Make a Failed State…. ____. Endemic Public Corruption. ____. Government Gridlock. ____.

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Redistricting: Rebuilding the Foundation of Illinois Democracy

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  1. Redistricting: Rebuilding the Foundation of Illinois Democracy David Hiller, McCormick Foundation CHANGE IL! Member Forum and Celebration March 16, 2010

  2. How to Make a Failed State How to Make a Failed State… ____ Endemic Public Corruption ____ Government Gridlock ____ Fiscal Mismanagement ____ Low Public Confidence and Trust

  3. Culture of Corruption in Illinois • Two Governors indicted, one in prison • U.S. Attorneys have prosecuted more than 400 other public officials “If [Illinois] isn't the most corrupt state in the United States, it's certainly one hell of a competitor." (Robert Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Chicago field office)

  4. Illinois has one of the worst budget gaps in the country Gridlock = Bankruptcy

  5. Civic (Un-) Health of Illinois The National Conference on Citizenship says Illinois’ civic health is “in a state of continuous decline.” • Only 15% say Illinois state government does the right thing most of the time • 68% of voters believe the state is headed in the wrong direction • People cutting back on civic engagement faster than in other states • 57% say deficit is a result of government inefficiency Sources: 2009 Illinois Civic Health Index. National Conference on Citizenship. http://www.ncoc.net/index.php?tray=content&tid=top0&cid=2gp186 2009 Simon Institute Poll. The Paul Simon Institute. http://news.siuc.edu/news/October09/documents/SimonPollPressRelease101609.pdf Ethical Reforms, the Budget Crisis, and Perceptions of Quality of Life in Illinois. Paul Simon Institute. http://paulsimoninstitute.org/images/PDF/papers/poll_analysis_report.pdf

  6. What’s Redistricting Got To Do With It? When politicians pick their voters… • A focus on protecting the incumbent • Less accountability to voters • Increased loyalty to party leaders • Less diversity in the General Assembly • Less electoral competition

  7. Gerrymandering in IL IllinoisGerrymandering: Splitting the Asian Vote

  8. 2002 Illinois Gerrymandering: Rush vs. Obama Gerrymandering in Action: Barack Obama’s run for Congress • The district, pre-Gerrymander (2000) • Obama garnered 30% of the vote as a first-time challenger Obama’s House 2000 • The district, post-Gerrymander (2002) • Obama & other challengers cut out of district Source: MALDEF & The Brennan Center for Justice. 2010. “Redistricting 101.” Presentation at the Midwest Democracy Network Forum (February 23).

  9. Gerrymandering in Illinois Carving up Oak Park Oak Park State Rep. District 78 State Rep. District 7 State Rep. District 8

  10. Safe Seats Are Really Safe Source: The Illinois State Board of Elections

  11. 72% of Illinoisans Want Change Source: Based on results from the Paul Simon Institute Statewide Poll: http://paulsimoninstitute.org/images/PDF/papers/poll_analysis_report.pdf

  12. Models of Redistricting Models of Redistricting • The Colorado Approach • An independent commission of 11 people draws lines. • A non-partisan body submits commission nominees. • At most, 6 commissioners may be from same party. • The Iowa Approach • A non-partisan advisory commission draws lines. • Legislature approves the plan created by commission. • Expressly prioritizes redistricting criteria. • The Arizona Approach • An independent commission draws district boundaries. • At most 2 commissioners may be from the same party. • Creates a role in the nominating process for individuals unaffiliated with either major political party.

  13. Coming Soon: Redistricting in California… Success Stories The California Approach: In 2008, Proposition 11 authorized the creation of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. More than 31,000 citizens have applied for 14 seats on the Commission

  14. Approaches to Reform in Illinois Paths to Reform in Illinois • Citizen’s Ballot Initiative The Fair Map Amendment • Requires 280,000 petition signatures • Approval of voters on Election Day • Legislative Initiative • Approval by 3/5 of the General Assembly • Approval of voters on Election Day • Changes to Increase Transparency • Public hearings and access to data • Citizen mapping software • Citizen advisory commissions

  15. Redistricting Core Principles CHANGE IL!believes in the following principles: 1.Accurate and complete 2010 Census 2.Transparency 3.Public input and access to data 4.Reflect diversity of the populace, especially racial and ethnic diversity 5.Promote fair, competitive, and representative districts

  16. We Need To Make This Happen • Power of the CHANGE Illinois Coalition • Once in a decade opportunity • Long-term Positive Impact

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