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…

Government Gridlock

Fiscal Mismanagement

Low Public Confidence and Trust

Endemic Public Corruption____

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How to Make a Failed State

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)

Gridlock = Bankruptcy

Illinois has one of the worst budget gaps in the country

Civic (Un-) Health of Illinois

The National Conference on Citizenship says Illinois’ civic health is “in a state of continuous decline.”

Sources: 2009 Illinois Civic Health Index. National Conference on Citizenship. http://www.ncoc.net/index.php?tray=content&tid=top0&cid=2gp1862009 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

• 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

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

Gerrymandering in ILIllinois Gerrymandering: Splitting the Asian Vote

Illinois Gerrymandering: Rush vs. Obama

Gerrymandering in Action: Barack Obama’s run for Congress

2002

2000

Source: MALDEF & The Brennan Center for Justice. 2010. “Redistricting 101.” Presentation at the Midwest Democracy Network Forum (February 23).

The district, pre-Gerrymander (2000)

• Obama garnered 30% of the vote as a first-time challenger

The district, post-Gerrymander (2002)

• Obama & other challengers cut out of district

Obama’s House

Gerrymandering in Illinois

State Rep. District 78

State Rep. District 7

State Rep. District 8

Oak Park

Carving up Oak Park

2008 General Election: Illinois State House

9%

91%% of Competitive Seats

% of Uncompetitive Seats

Safe Seats Are Really Safe

2008 General Election: Illinois State Senate

5%

95%

% of Competitive Seats

% of Uncompetitive Seats

Source: The Illinois State Board of Elections

Source: Based on results from the Paul Simon Institute Statewide Poll: http://paulsimoninstitute.org/images/PDF/papers/poll_analysis_report.pdf

Current IL redistricting process

Strongly disapprove

28%

Disapprove43%

No opinion12%

Approve15%

Strongly approve

2%

72% of Illinoisans Want Change

Models of RedistrictingModels 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.

Success StoriesComing Soon: Redistricting in California…

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

Paths to Reform in Illinois

Approaches to Reform in Illinois

• Citizen’s Ballot Initiative The Fair Map Amendment

• Legislative Initiative

• Changes to Increase Transparency

Public hearings and access to data Citizen mapping software Citizen advisory commissions

Approval by 3/5 of the General Assembly

Approval of voters on Election Day

Requires 280,000 petition signatures

Approval of voters on Election Day

Redistricting Core Principles

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

2. Transparency

1. Accurate and complete 2010 Census

CHANGE IL! believes in the following principles:

We Need To Make This Happen

• Long-term Positive Impact

• Once in a decade opportunity

• Power of the CHANGE Illinois Coalition