GOP says census data proves new maps illegal

[TexasTowelie]

SPRINGFIELD – Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly say new, detailed census numbers released last week show the legislative maps that Democrats pushed through in the spring are unconstitutional.

The Census Bureau released the data Thursday, Aug. 12, several months later than usual due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. The numbers show population counts down to the block level, which is what lawmakers need in order to draw districts that are as close to equal in population as possible.

Due to the delays, Democrats who control the General Assembly drew maps using population estimates based on survey data. Under the Illinois Constitution, waiting beyond June 30 for the official data would have triggered a provision putting the process in the hands of a bipartisan legislative commission in which Democrats could have lost their partisan advantage.

“Just as we predicted, the maps that were drawn by Illinois Democrats in a closed room and without public input, and signed by Gov. Pritzker, have proven to be unusable and unlawful given the release of the U.S. Census data,” House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, said in a statement Monday.

Read more: https://www.capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/gop-says-census-data-proves-new-maps-illegal

[Bluethroughu]

1. Maybe that was the Republican plan all along, take the

Map drawing from the hands of Dems and give it to anyone else, so the Repukes can have more leverage in the Country although they are the minority!

[2naSalit]

2. No maybe about it.

[FBaggins]

3. Of course it was

Of course… Democrats’ desires were equally partisan in nature. Had the situation been reversed, we would be up in arms that Republican were rushing the process with inaccurate data just to avoid a nonpartisan commission that state law explicitly anticipates.

The question in this case comes down to whether the new lines are or are not drawn constitutionally.

[CurtEastPoint]

4. WHAT IF... what if the data were examined by computer and IT draws districts of equal populations?

Would that work for us or against us?

[FBaggins]

5. In IL? Against us.

In most states - probably for us.

But it really depends on what rules the computer is given. Because computers are drawing the lines now.

[TexasTowelie]

6. Most likely it would work against Democrats, particularly if one of the parameters is to create

compact districts. Urban areas that were split to include suburbs would be drawn more compactly so that the Democratic vote is packed while the suburbs would be controlled by Republicans.

[live love laugh]

7. Such bullshit: "...in a closed room and without public input..." -- that's THEIR M.O.

TFGs abrupt ending of the census count is the real reason for the numbers not jibing. Im sure they will present that in court if necessary.