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Chicago Tribune
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Editorial: Illinois Supreme Court's refusal to hear gerrymandering case is a blow to democracy
Last month, we urged Illinois Supreme Court justices to consider state Republicans' strong arguments against extreme gerrymandering in the Land of Lincoln. To no one's surprise, on Wednesday the Democratic majority on the high court seized on a technicality to avoid confronting the obvious and refused to hear the GOP's case. That leaves intact legislative maps that badly undermine democracy in Illinois. Any reasonable, non-partisan person looking at the facts would arrive at that conclusion. State House districts are so distorted that GOP candidates won 45% of the total vote for the Illinois House of Representatives in 2024 and just 34% of the seats. That's plain wrong, and the justices ought to be ashamed. After multiple failed attempts in the past two decades to get a fair hearing before the Supreme Court, the GOP thought this time might be different. A lawsuit led by House Minority Leader Tony McCombie presented hard data, strong arguments that numerous bizarrely shaped districts violate the state Constitution, and even responded to court decisions in the past that had tossed GOP litigation because it was filed too close to an election. Nothing doing. The court refused to take up this latest case, not based on its merits but because the majority of justices said the plaintiffs waited too long to act. There's no winning with this bunch, which appears content to oversee a judicial version of Joseph Heller's Catch-22. While Illinois' high court declined to intervene, our neighbors to the north took a different, more encouraging path. Wisconsin's Supreme Court contest between conservative Brad Schimel and liberal Susan Crawford recently garnered intense national attention as a referendum of sorts on the early months of the Trump administration. Crawford prevailed, which cheered Democrats and worried Republicans. But even before that contest, Wisconsin's high court had thrown out the Badger State's gerrymandered maps, ruling in December 2023 that similarly distorted district boundaries favoring the GOP in that state were unconstitutional. Equally as important, and to the surprise of many, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers in February 2024 compromised with the GOP-run legislature on new maps that are said to slightly favor the Republicans but are far fairer than the districts the court rejected. 'Wisconsin, when I promised I wanted fair maps — not maps that are better for one party or another — I damn well meant it,' Evers said. In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker said much the same when he first ran for office in 2019. But he most definitely didn't mean it. And the Supreme Court has been happy to play along. 'Plaintiffs could have brought their argument years ago,' the majority wrote in an unsigned decision. 'Their claim that waiting multiple election cycles is necessary to reveal the effects of redistricting is unpersuasive.' That's the court's take. To us, the proof is undeniable. Illinois' political maps don't yield results that represent the will of the people. The justices missed a golden opportunity to emulate our neighbors to the north and instead have left too many voters dispirited and feeling like nothing can ever change. As lawmakers in Wisconsin and Illinois have demonstrated, partisan gerrymandering is a bipartisan pursuit when the party in power has carte blanche to pick its own voters. When that happens, the judiciary — an equal branch of government — is tasked with upholding the Constitution, not aiding and abetting its partisan friends. Illinois' Supreme Court justices failed that most basic test. Nationally, the Democratic Party in November failed to connect with independent and centrist voters who usually determine the outcome of elections in a relatively evenly divided country. Democratic hegemony in Illinois hasn't produced a thriving state; to the contrary, Illinois isn't growing, and its economic performance lags the nation as a whole. A political party that has no fear of losing power too often is a political party that refuses to entertain new ideas or reconsider its own orthodoxies. The path to Democratic renewal is not through disenfranchising voters. This was a highly unfortunate missed opportunity.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
IL Supreme Court dismisses Republican gerrymandering maps lawsuit
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Supreme Court shut down a lawsuit from House Republicans to review the state's legislative maps. The current district maps were adopted in September 2021. Republicans filed a lawsuit earlier this year to argue they're gerrymandered, using data from previous election cycles to make their case. Illinois legislature aims to regulate cryptocurrency companies The court rejected the case, saying Republicans waited too long to pose the challenge and pointing out the next census is closer than the last. 'Plaintiffs' approach would also be prejudicial and create uncertainty for voters and officeholders alike, now and in the future, as to whether any redistricting plan in Illinois is ever final,' part of the majority opinion reads. 'Plaintiffs' motion for leave to file was brought more than three years and four months after the adoption of the current map.' Justice David Overstreet dissented, and Justice Lisa Holder White did not participate in the ruling. Illinois House passes bill to ban unauthorized restaurant reservations House Minority Leader Tony McCombie gave the following statement on the court's rejection: Today is a shameful day in Illinois history. The voices of voters have once again been silenced by a Democratic machine that will stop at nothing to cling to power. This isn't leadership — it's a raw, cynical power grab. Every Illinoisan, regardless of political affiliation, should be outraged by what just happened. Governor JB Pritzker lied to the people of this state. He promised a fair map — but instead stood by as his party drew the most partisan gerrymander possible, rigging the system for yet another decade. This isn't democracy. Let's be clear: Democrats have no interest in protecting voters — only in protecting their majority. They've proven they'll twist the rules, ignore the public, and crush accountability to keep their grip on power. House Republicans will not stop exposing this injustice. We will fight every day to restore fairness, transparency, and trust in our elections — because the people of Illinois deserve nothing less House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois Supreme Court denies GOP effort to discard state's legislative map
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled against throwing out the state's current legislative map, which Republicans claim favors Democrats in elections. The was brought by House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) and Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) and Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva), asking the Illinois Supreme Court to throw out the current map, . Gerrymandering is the political manipulation of electoral district boundaries to control the outcome of elections to favor one political party over the other. The suit that in Illinois, maps are made by the controlling Democratic party, and 'have crafted maps to further disadvantage Republican voters and to erode the balance of power.' In , the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that too much time had passed for Republicans to bring their case, writing, 'Plaintiffs could have brought this argument years ago. Their claim that waiting multiple election cycles is necessary to reveal the effects of redistricting is unpersuasive.' 'Today is a shameful day in Illinois history. The voices of voters have once again been silenced by a Democratic machine that will stop at nothing to cling to power. This isn't leadership — it's a raw, cynical power grab. Every Illinoisan, regardless of political affiliation, should be outraged by what just happened,' McCombie said of the ruling. 'Governor JB Pritzker lied to the people of this state. He promised a fair map — but instead stood by as his party drew the most partisan gerrymander possible, rigging the system for yet another decade. This isn't democracy,' she added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Editorial: Our views on the suburban ballots' advisory questions on fair maps, pension reforms and unfunded mandates
Illinois voters should have the opportunity to send a message to politicians on the most important issues affecting their quality of life and cost of living. Unfortunately, they rarely have that chance. That's why we're pleased to see a number of suburban townships asking voters to weigh in on big issue advisory questions on April 1. The questions cover thorny issues for Illinois politicians: Fair maps: 'Should the state of Illinois create an independent citizens commission to draw fair and competitive federal and state redistricting maps, rather than allowing lawmakers to decide?' Unfunded mandates: 'Should the state of Illinois be allowed to force unfunded mandates on local governments who may raise property taxes to cover the costs of those mandates?' Pension reform: 'Do you support constitutional pension reform to protect workers' existing retirements and generate savings which could provide property tax relief or be reinvested in the community?' The editorial board has long-held opinions on each of these issues. First, as we wrote in these pages earlier this month, Illinois must adopt fair maps that lead to fair and representative elections. House Minority Leader Tony McCombie along with Reps. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria and Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva are championing a lawsuit filed in January that would throw out the current outrageously gerrymandered map in favor of a fairer one. They've asked the Illinois Supreme Court to declare today's map unconstitutional and appoint an independent official to draw a new map. Regardless of the outcome in that lawsuit, the problem of gerrymandered maps — and politicians picking their voters — isn't going away until we change the way political maps are drawn. To that end, we encourage voters in Lemont, Homer and Palos townships to vote 'yes' on this advisory question. Second, the state should not be forcing unfunded mandates onto local governments, especially because they so often lead to increased tax burdens for residents. Why should the state be allowed to pass a bill that requires spending someone else has to cover? For example, Illinois sets required wage rates local governments have to pay for public works projects—a mandate that takes away local control, significantly inflates costs and limits the ability to stretch taxpayer dollars. We encourage voters in Palatine, Lemont, Homer, Palos, Leyden, Wheeling and Addison townships to vote 'no' on this advisory question. Third, the only way Illinois homeowners will ever see meaningful property tax relief is for the state to enact pension reform, which means a constitutional amendment. While supporting current retirees, this board has long said the state must amend a provision added to its constitution in 1970 that has made real progress on pensions practically impossible. This would not provide immediate property tax relief, but would stop pension costs from driving up property taxes in the long term. We encourage voters in Palatine, Lemont, Homer, Palos and Winfield townships to vote 'yes' on this advisory question. True, these questions are advisory, meaning they're nonbinding and have no legal impact. But they matter, because this opportunity offers a rare chance for us to see how Illinois voters feel about key issues and ideas for reform. We wish it was easier for Illinoisans to get meaningful, binding questions on the ballot, but Illinois' rules make it incredibly difficult to the point that it almost never happens. Meanwhile, California's process empowers voters there to directly participate in the state's legislative process by proposing and enacting laws or constitutional amendments. We encourage Springfield to give that power to the people of Illinois. Until then, it's important that voters weigh in when they can — and for elected officials to listen to the results. 'These are important issues. If the powers that be look at this I hope they see that people are taking notice,' Lemont Township Supervisor Mike Shackel told the editorial board.' Hopefully this gets the attention of the legislators and the governor. These issues have to be dealt with and they're being ignored.' Just like elections to determine who will represent you in the Illinois General Assembly, Village Hall and your local school boards, these advisory questions are an opportunity to send a message to Springfield. Tell them it's time to focus less on Washington and more on what's happening right here in Illinois. We say: Yes to fair maps. No to unfunded mandates. Yes to constitutional pension reform and property tax relief. Voters, the ball's in your court.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Illinois lawmakers propose bill to eliminate co-pays for sexual assault victims
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois legislators have advanced a bill that would ensure sexual assault victims are not charged a co-pay for forensic medical examinations. passed the Illinois House Insurance Committee on Tuesday. Although the Illinois Sexual Assault Survivor Treatment Act prohibits sexual assault survivors from being charged for forensic medical exams, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) said there is nothing in the law that does not prohibit insurance companies from charging a deductible or insurance co-pay for the services. 'This will make sure that victims are not victimized on any level,' McCombie . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
