Republican Attempts to Change Illinois’ Map Have Tough Time Ahead

Wed, Jul 20, 2011 23:22 CET

Professor Ann Lousin of The John Marshall Law School argues members of Illinois’ Republican Party “are going to have a tough row to hoe” as they fight the state’s new map outlining Congressional and legislative districts in federal court.

“Their claim that certain parts of the Illinois constitution’s redistricting process were violated properly belongs in state court, not federal court,” argues Lousin, an Illinois Constitution expert. “There are two federal issues in legislative redistricting. One is the one person-one vote cases based on the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. The other is Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which seeks to protect the voting power of minorities, in this case, African-Americans and Hispanics. The plaintiffs will have to draw an alternative map that meets the federal criteria,” if the court agrees with the GOP’s argument.

Republican House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) allege in the lawsuit that the Democratic map violates the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. They argue the districts have shut out the possibility of more minority districts thereby diluting their voices. The GOP also argues the districts are not “compact” as required by law.

Because both Illinois’ House and Senate are controlled by Democrats, the map is said to favor the Democratic party. The changes will put the GOP at a disadvantage for the next 10 years.

“Time is short. Petitions for primary candidates for the General Assembly will have to be filed by late autumn 2011,” Lousin points out.

To reach Professor Lousin for additional comment, contact her at 7lousin@jmls.edu.

Marilyn Thomas
Director, Public Relations
312-360-2661
6thomas@jmls.edu

The John Marshall Law School
315 S. Plymouth Ct.
Chicago, IL 60604
www.jmls.edu

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