In drawing new legislative districts for state lawmakers last week, Democrats in Springfield said they abided by voting rights laws and citizens’ concerns.
But they may have done so at the expense of suburban residents, some of whom already feel neglected by their Chicago-based lawmakers. The new maps show districts snaking outward from the city, which remains a Democratic stronghold, and into the collar-county suburbs, which still lean Republican. In addition to partisan divisions, residents in the two areas can have much different local concerns.
“The General Assembly just ignores this community,” said Mary Schaafsma, issues and advocacy coordinator for the League of Women Voters of Illinois. “When representatives are elected from a base in Chicago, they are concerned with that base and not so much with voters living in the outlying areas of their districts.”
The final map, which must be approved by May 31, will reflect the technical side of political strategy. District boundaries, which were carved block-by-block, can determine control of the Statehouse for the next decade and with them, how billions of dollars in state resources are allocated each year.
Particularly in the south suburbs where population losses are pronounced, more legislators under the new map will be straddling both city and suburban territory. That can place constituents of the same district in opposing corners.
The latest push for a Chicago-based casino is one example where suburban constituents could get thumped by the city’s stronger fist. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has indicated he wants a city casino, a proposal likely to compete for legislative support against a proposal for an additional riverboat for the south suburbs, where mayors have long pleaded their case for one.
“If you’ve got a legislator who represents both the city and suburbs, where do his or her loyalties lie?” asked Ed Paesel, executive director of South Suburban Mayors and Managers, an organization that represents 42 communities. “It makes it more difficult for them.”
Construction of a third regional airport near Peotone is another issue that often divides city and suburban legislators, along with education proposals that include vouchers and charter schools.
In addition to policy issues complicated by the map, redistricting gives the ruling party -– in this case, the Democrats –- the power to intentionally jeopardize Republican seats. By dividing up Republican strongholds in the new map, Democrats have sought to dilute the strength of GOP voters. In Republican-leaning LaGrange, for example, Senate Democrats connected the town with the working-class communities of Summit and Berwyn, making it more difficult for a Republican to win there.
Many of the proposed legislative districts resemble a bicycle wheel around Chicago. Long, spoke-shaped districts stretch deep into the suburbs, particularly south and southwest. The proposed district of State Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) runs from Chicago’s Southeast Side to rolling farmland more than 40 miles south.
Democrats said the oddly-shaped districts are necessary to uphold the federal Voting Rights Act and Illinois Voting Rights Act. By creating districts hubbed in Chicago, the state aims to meet requirements to create districts favorable for black and Latino representation.
But the League of Women Voters, which failed in efforts to give the map-drawing reigns to a nonpartisan group, said the proposed maps ignore the goal of keeping-together similar communities. Instead, the maps protect incumbents.
“That sense of entitlement is, frankly, totally unfortunate and disappointing,” Schaafsma said.
Lawmakers with city and suburban constituencies said they give equal attention to both communities. State Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago) said she maintains strong relationships with her suburban mayors, even though her home and district headquarters are located in Chicago.
“When something is happening on the floor, I get calls from both the suburbs and the city,” Davis said. “They know I respect them. I do represent them. I think it’s more interesting to represent both the city and the suburbs.”
At least one of her suburban constituents, however, feels abandoned.
Davis “pays no attention to anything we say,” said Palos Heights resident Barbara Pasquinelli, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Illinois. “She does not return phone calls. I have a relationship with the lady who answers her phone. She calls me ‘Ms. Barbara.’”
Because Davis’ base of support comes from her Chicago neighborhood, she does not have to pay attention to the suburban part of her district, according to Pasquinelli.
“It’s just not efficient. The districts are not compact, not even the one we’re in now,” she said. “Palos Heights covers about 2 square miles. We have 13,000 people. And we have two congressmen, two state senators and two state reps.”
Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki said his town of 58,000 residents is split into three Illinois House districts. The advantage of multiple lawmakers is having more bodies with whom to work. The drawback, he said, is that no single district carries enough voters to compel swift, focused attention.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” Zabrocki said.
Senate Republicans caught their first glimpse of the Senate map Thursday morning. Freshman Republican Sen. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove said he was not surprised that the Democrats constructed a district pitting him against his GOP leader, Sen. Christine Radogno of Lemont. He may end up running for a House seat instead.
“I was expecting as a new member, I would be a victim of gerrymandering,” Sandack said. “That’s part of the process. To the victors go the spoils.”
Democrats hold majorities in the House and Senate, enabling them to craft maps without Republican input. Each chamber drew its own map. The two versions will be reconciled after a hearing Tuesday. The final map will land on Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk for his signature. He, too, is a Democrat.
Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) said districts were drawn to adhere to the law, not cushion the re-election chances of his party, he said.
“The map is about complying with the Voting Rights Act,” Cullerton said. “And we’re complying with the law.”
But Senate Republicans disagree, pointing to the process itself.
“The most corrupt, partisan and disgusting thing [former Gov. Jim Edgar] found in politics was drawing the map,” said state Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville). “I think we proved that again this time.”
Kristen McQueary covers state government as part of a cooperative partnership between CNC and WBEZ
