Signed by Governor Pat Quinn

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that specifies the process by which Legislative Districts and Representative Districts shall be drawn.

Highlights:

• Requires any redistricting plan to draw Legislative Districts and Representative Districts so that crossover districts, coalition districts, and influence districts are created (Sec. 5).

• Defines "crossover district" as a district in which a racial or language minority constitutes less than a majority of the voting age population, but where this minority is potentially large enough to elect the candidate of its choice with help from voters who are members of the majority and who cross over to support the minority candidate (Sec. 5).

• Defines "coalition district" as a district in which more than one group of racial or language minorities form a coalition to elect the candidate of their choice (Sec. 5).

• Defines "influence district" as a district in which a racial or language minority can influence the outcome of an election even if its preferred candidate cannot be elected (Sec. 5).

• Requires the Senate and the House of Representatives to each form a committee, or to form a joint committee, in the year following each federal decennial census year, to consider redistricting proposals (Sec. 10).

• Requires the redistricting committee or committees to conduct at least 4 statewide public hearings to receive testimony and inform the public on the applicable existing districts, and that 1 hearing must be held in each of 4 distinct geographic regions of the state, as determined by the committee or committees (Sec. 10).

• Requires the Chairperson of each committee, or Co-Chairpersons of a joint committee, to advertise each public hearing at least 6 days in advance by posting a notice containing the date, time, location, and subject matter of each hearing with the Secretary of the Senate, Clerk of the House, or both (Sec. 10).

• Specifies that the requirements in this act are in addition and subordinate to the United States Constitution, the Illinois Constitution, the federal Voting Rights Act, and any other applicable federal laws (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that if any provision of this act is violated, the redistricting plan will be redrawn to the least extent possible in order to remove the violation (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that this act takes effect upon becoming law (Sec. 99).

Full Bill Text