HCA 33
Background and Procedural InformationOn January 9, 2008 Illinois General Assemblyperson Patricia Lindner introduced Illinois House Constitutional Amendment 33 (IL H.C.A. 33). As of June 4, 2008 it has not moved forward to a committee. IL H.C.A. 33 would replace the Legislative Redistricting Commission with a computer program.
Under the proposed legislation, are single-member districts a requirement or otherwise implied?
Yes. Under the proposed amendment single-member districts are required.
Does the proposed legislation provide for Voting Rights Act compliance (e.g. can the commission use voter history information)?
The computer program would be required to not use political affiliation of voters, previous election results, and “Demographic information not required to be used by this section or by the United States constitutional or federal law.”
Under the proposed legislation, how is the commission formed?
The Illinois Board of Elections will designate a computer program to redistrict the each body of the Illinois legislature by April 15 of years ending in one. The Illinois Senate and General Assembly each have the ability to bypass the Board of Elections and choose the computer program that would redistrict their legislative body if they choose a program by June 15 in years ending in one. A three-fifths yea vote is required to approve any software program.
Under the proposed legislation, are competitive districts favored?
No. There are five criteria that the computer program may use, but crafting competitive districts is not one of the criterions.
Under the proposed legislation, can members of the public submit plans?
No. Members of the public may not submit a proposed computer program to the Board of Elections or the Legislature.
Does the proposed legislation allow for mid-decade redistricting?
No. The program may only be used in years ending in one.