Chicago City Wire

Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition leader Dr. Dilara Sayeed hopes lawmakers in Springfield come to understand the cries of residents concerned about fair maps for the growing force she believes them to be.

“What you are hearing today is not one community’s voice saying we’ve got to do better, not three saying we’ve got to do better,” Sayeed said in during a recent public hearing on the subject. “Look at us across these screens. You’re hearing from all of us saying please don’t approve maps, please don’t vote yes on maps where our voices and our leadership have not been heard.”  

The once-every-decade task of map redistricting has become a burning issue in Springfield as Democrats, already in control, seek to maintain the status quo while Republicans argue for a fairer process, especially with Census Bureau data typically relied on as part of the process not expected to be available before a June 30 deadline.

All across the state, minority groups and communities are also intent on having their voices heard and calling for a process they see as leading to a fairer representation of their neighborhoods.

“Civic justice is about making sure that policy made for us is made with us, that we vote in elections held every year for ethical public leaders and for equitable redistricting.” Sayeed said in a different video posted to YouTube by the coalition. “Residents often feel the system doesn’t work for them and their voice is not heard. We have to get involved to insure that all of Illinois is truly represented.”

The task of redrawing maps typically falls to the party in charge. If remapping isn't complete by the deadline, the responsibility is handed to an independent remapping commission that consists of four Republicans and four Democrats.

As the debate intensifies, Republican lawmakers are calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to honor the pledge he made as a gubernatorial candidate when he vowed to veto any map drawn by politicians.

More recently, however, the governor has sought to distance himself from those comments and a spokesperson for newly elected House Speaker Emmanuel Welch recently said that the Speaker “has every intention” of meeting the June 30 deadline.