Dear Editor,

I commend the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board for shedding some light on the state and congressional redistricting map process in a recent editorial “Legislature’s Challenge: Fix Bizarre Redistricting.”

As the Sun-Times pointed out, the redistricting process, which occurs every 10 years, is completely partisan, depending on which party wins the flip of a coin. The districts are carefully drawn based on how an area historically votes, therefore favoring one party over another.

For the last six years my Republican colleagues and I have sponsored 12 resolutions that would reform the redistricting process. Continue reading …

Unfortunately, none of these resolutions has been called for a vote due to procedural road blocks by House Democrat leaders. I am the chief sponsor of two of the seven redistricting reform bills currently before the General Assembly.

Illinois voters deserve true reform of this flawed process. A fairer approach would allow a computer program to draw maps impartially without regards to residency, political affiliation of registered voters, previous election results and demographic information.

The next census will take place in 2010, therefore it’s imperative that redistricting reform be approved by the state legislature this upcoming year.

Again, I appreciate the interest of the editorial staff and ask for their support to help get this important reform legislation out of the Rules Committee and onto a vote by the state legislature. It’s time that the election process truly be in the hands of Illinois voters.

Sincerely,

Suzie Bassi, State Representative