Please take time to read both the IL Fair Map amendment and the Put-Back amendment.    Both seek to change the Illinois Constitution but in different ways.  The first part of this analysis will concentrate on the redistricting process each amendment seeks to alter.  The last part of this article will examine the Put-Back amendment's other provisions or changes to the Illinois Constitution that the IL Fair Map does not address or seek to change.

Let's take a look at the differences:

Redistricting Commissions

The IL Fair Map amendment would create a commission of 4 Republicans and 4 Democrats chosen by the 4 leadership positions (President of the IL Senate, IL Senate Minority Leader, IL Speaker of the House, and IL House Minority Leader) in the General Assembly.  Those 8 would then select by a majority a 9th person to serve as chair.  The commissioners responsible for deciding on the new redistricting map cannot be a registered lobbyist, an employee or state contractor of Illinois, a candidate or elected/appointed official of or at any level of government, school district or political party, or a family member of any of the previous mentioned.  These exclusions are applicable up to 4 years before or during the service on the commission.  Furthermore, the commissioners are not allowed to run  for public office or serve in a Illinois Senate approved position for 10 years after their service to the redistricting commission. 

• This seems to be more than fair in my opinion.  The commission would almost have to be someone retired from politics or outside the sphere of realm of party politics.  Oh don't get me wrong, those appointing the commission will still try to influence the commission by appointing someone that is loyal to them, but at least it would cut down on who that lacky could be.  The exclusions would also cut down on those that would accept appointment to the commission. 

The Put-Back amendment would create a commission of 8, of which no more than 4 could be from the same party.  The President of the Illinois Senate, and the Illinois Senate Minority Leader would each appoint 4 commissioners, and in 2011 only, at least 4 members of the commission would have to be from the Illinois House of Representatives.

• I feel the commission created under Put-Back would leave the door wide open for political games and favoritism through appointing cronies or party hacks.  There is no limit on who could serve outside the minimum of 4 spots reserved for the Representatives the first go around.  Lobbyists could be included or people who draw a paycheck from the Illinois tax payer or anyone else for that matter.

Redistricting Maps and Mapping

The IL Fair Map amendment would use software to draw the districts and similar to the Put-Back, would require districts to follow federal guidelines, protect minority populations by providing an equal opportunity to vote for candidates of their choice.  Like the Put-Back, districts should be contiguous, equal in population, compact and protect against discrimination against any group or population.  IL Fair Map goes a tiny bit further by stating that district lines should follow natural geographic or municipality boundaries.  Party registration, voting history and incumbency is not to be considered in the creating the map(s) except within the protections stated above.  The software used for redistricting will also be available to the public along with the Census data.

• I like the idea of using computers to draw maps so that human tampering of where the boundaries are drawn is limited.  I also like the exclusion of party, voting history and incumbency in redrawing maps.

The Put-Back amendment, as stated earlier, provides for protection of historically discriminated groups and populations.  However, the redistricting map is to be determined by a "score", using said protections, by the General Assembly.  Additionally, the districts would consider political boundaries.

• First, outside the criteria of minority or group protections, there is no limitation to what the redistricting "score" can contain.  Plus, since the General Assembly would be deciding this "score", how can the people of Illinois be assured that it won't be a political formula for domination over the next 10 years?  Respecting political boundaries also ensures that those districts that have voted historically Democrat or Republican would be written to reflect this - despite districts in the past and present being drawn to specifically favor incumbents and parties. 

Public Openness to Mapping Process

As stated a little earlier, the IL Fair Map amendment would release the mapping software and Census data for public viewing.  Additionally, the IL Fair Map amendment would require the redistricting commission to hold at least 5 public hearings in 5 different distinct geographical regions discussing proposed plans before any vote is taken recommending a redistricted maps.  3 of those meetings have to take place after the Census data is released.  The general public or a member of the General Assembly can submit their own redistricting maps prior to the end of the 5 required public hearings and those plans will also be available for public viewing.  Once a plan is preliminarily selected, the commission is required to hold an additional 3 public hearings in 3 distinct geographic regions over the proposed maps. 

• The involvement of the public in the redistricting process is a breath of fresh air.  Accepting maps from the public also allows the possibility (however slim) that a better map could be selected than what the commission had come up with.  Public hearings around the state also allows the entire state to have a say in the process.  It seems there is less opportunity for back room deals if the process is taking place in front of the people.

The Put-Back amendment requires the redistricting data and tools to be released to the public.  Also, the Put-Back amendment says "The Commission shall accept maps for the redistricting of Legislative Districts through May 7." 

• At no point in the Put-Back amendment does it require the commission to hold public hearings before, during or after the process of selecting a redistricted map.  Unfortunately, the Put-Back amendment doesn't say who is allowed to submit maps which means the General Assembly at any time could limit who could submit maps for consideration.  If it's not in writing, it leaves room for interpretation by those trying to protect their jobs or offices.

Approval of Redistricted Map

The IL Fair Map amendment requires the commission approved map pertaining to the House to be submitted to and voted by the House of Representatives by a 2/3rds majority.  The Senate must also approve the map affecting them by a 2/3rds vote.  The vote on each chamber's specific map must be recorded and the neither chamber can amend the map in any way.  If a particular chamber rejects their map, then the commission will provide an alternative map to be voted on in the same way as the first proposed map.  If the first and second maps are rejected, then the commission by majority vote will select one of the maps submitted to and rejected by the chamber(s) of the GA to the Sec. of State for approval.  Should there be a deadline missed (several dates and deadlines in both amendments), then the Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice and another Supreme Court justice (voted by majority) of the opposite party of the Chief will appoint a Special Master to draw up a map for approval.  The Special Master can consider all maps submitted to or by the Commission.  The Special Master is under the same exclusionary provisions that the Commissioners are held to and he/she has the power to hire help, and must release all data, etc. to the public.  There is another round of 5 public meetings in 5 different distinct regions before selection and 3 public hearings in 3 different distinct regions after selection of a map.   Finally, after all of that, the plan(s) that the Special Master has selected will be submitted to the Sec. of State and will be considered valid.  Of course, the Illinois Supreme Court has final say in the legality of the approved redistricting maps.

• Now that we're all done with that, the IL Fair Map amendment does a pretty good job of keeping the redistricting maps out of the hands of the General Assembly.  They can't alter the maps, and if they disapprove of the map or if the commission cannot agree on a map, then the General Assembly still can't touch the maps.  Almost the entire process is out of the GA's reach.  I also like how there is another round of public hearings once a Special Master is appointed.  Finally, a recorded vote allows the public to see who is playing politics and who isn't.

The approval of maps gets a bit different with the Put-Back amendment.  It deals exclusively with the Senate because as I will discuss later, the Illinois Legislature would be a unicameral legislature under Put-Back.  Either way, I'll try to compare them as best as I can.  Under Put-Back, the map selected by the commission with with best "score" is sent to the Senate for approval by a 3/5ths majority.  If the Senate doesn't pass the map, then the Sec. of State will select the map that received the best "score" and it will become valid.  If there is a tie for best scores, then a map is picked at random from the best tie scoring maps.  Put-Back also ensures the Illinois Supreme Court has jurisdiction over the legality of the approved map.

• First, there is nothing in writing that says the Senate cannot alter the map before voting on it.  If the Senate rejects the map, then again, there are no public hearings about the map the Sec. of State will select.  There is also no filter between the Sec. of State after the Senate rejects the map.  I guess the random pick of tied best scores of maps handcuffs the Sec. of State from picking a map that favors his/her party. 

Conclusions

All in all, I believe the IL Fair Map does a much better job of being open to the public and making the process of selecting a redistricting map apolitical than the Put-Back amendment does.  Both are attempts at reforming a broken and corrupt system for selecting Illinois Legislative districts.  However, in my humble opinion, the IL Fair Map wins in a head to head comparison.

Other Thoughts on Put-Back

First, I would say that I can see where Mr. Bambenek, chief writer and promoter of Put-Back, would be upset with the introduction of the IL Fair Map  - supported by the League of Women Voters and a few others.  Mr. Bambenek has spent his valuable time and his money promoting the Put-Back amendment and IL Fair Map steals some of his thunder, if not undercuts his amendment's support. 

All that aside, I also feel that Put-Back is an attempt to override a democratic vote held last election cycle asking approval of a Illinois Constitutional Convention.  The Con-Con was defeated overwhelming by a majority of Illinois voters and Put-Back essentially accomplishes what a Con-Con could have done.  The largest change that Put-Back does would be to rewrite the Illinois Constitution regarding the General Assembly.  Put-Back would make Illinois a unicameral legislature with 3 Senators per district for a total of 177 (3 per 59 Senate Districts) and would eliminate the Illinois House of Representatives altogether.  Unfortunately, Put-Back does not address state political parties if the Illinois Legislature would become unicameral.  In theory, if one party controls the Senate and the Governor's seat then that party could ram legislation through with minimal minority resistance.  Furthermore, the House checks the Senate, and the Senate checks the House.  Under Put-Back, that check and balance would be almost entirely eliminated.  Lastly, if any of the 177 Senators were to resign, die, or be appointed to higher office, their seat would remain vacant until the next election.  This is an attempt to cut down on political games of appointing those who are family members or place holders until someone better can be found.  I just don't like the idea of not being able to fill an empty seat leaving one or more districts underrepresented in Springfield.  I understand the potential for corruption and corruption in the past, especially in Chicagoland, but I'm willing to take that chance.  Fill it by appointment or call a special election ASAP if there is more than 1/2 or so of the term left. 

There are good aspects to the Put-Back.  First, Put-Back calls for term limits which would help eliminate career politicians.  Put-Back calls for no Senator to serve more than 4 terms.  I assume that means lifetime and also consecutively.  Again, the devil is in the details and if it's not in writing, there's room for interpretation and manipulation.  I love the idea of term limiting someone like Mike Madigan out of the office.  Also, Put-Back allows a minority of Senators to force a vote on a piece of legislation.  No longer would legislation be allowed to die or a vote be avoided by the legislative leadership because legislators could not muster the required number to bring legislation to a vote.  Definitely a great provision.

In the end, it's ultimately up to you to decide whether you like the IL Fair Map and/or the Put-Back amendments.  I'm just giving my opinion on both amendments.  I provided links to both sites at the beginning of this article and I encourage you to go to both and do your homework on both amendments.  Ultimately, if both amendments get on the ballot, you are the deciding factor to which will reform Illinois and to what degree.