R-1559 - 04/26/2016 - GENERAL LEGISLATION FEDERAL - Resolutions Supporting Documents Item 9.B.1
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
VILLAGE or SAMUEL E. DEAN BOARD ROOM
OAK B R . K BUTLER GOVERNMENT CENTER
1200 OAK BROOK ROAD
OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS
630-368-5000
AGENDA ITEM
Regular Board of Trustees Meeting
of
April 26, 2016
SUBJECT: Resolution to Support an Independent Map Amendment
FROM: Riccardo F. Ginex,Village Manager
BUDGET SOURCE/BUDGET IMPACT: NA
RECOMMENDED MOTION: A Motion to Approve Resolution R-1559,A
Resolution Supporting the Petition Campaign to Place the Independent Map
Amendment Before Illinois Voters in November 2016.
Background/History:
Two trustees had asked that a resolution to support the Independent Map Amendment be
placed on the agenda. This Map Amendment would establish a non-partisan,
independent commission responsible for drawing state legislative districts in a transparent
manner which is open to the public. It would end the current redistricting process
controlled by the legislative leaders of the party in power, no matter who it may be.
Parties in power have drawn the maps to protect favored incumbents and improve that
party's chances of winning as many House and Senate seats as possible. Instead of voters
selecting legislators to represent them in Springfield, the legislators choose which voters
they will represent.
To enact this reform amendment, it will need to receive the approval of a majority of the
people voting in the 2016 election or 60 percent of those voting on the amendment
question. If the amendment is approved by voters, the new independent commission will
use the 2020 Census data to draw new district maps in 2021, and the new legislative
boundaries will be in effect for Illinois House and Senate candidates in the 2022 election.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the Village Board approve the resolution of support.
BOT AGENDA Page 1
RESOLUTION 2016-GL-MA-R-1559
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT MAP AMENDMENT
IN RELATION TO STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS
WHEREAS, the Independent Map Amendment would establish a non-partisan, independent
commission responsible for drawing state legislative districts in a way that is transparent and open to the
public; and
WHEREAS, the Amendment will create a system where the voters choose their representatives
instead of the representatives choosing their voters; and
WHEREAS, by adopting the Amendment, the redistricting process in Illinois will produce Illinois
House and Senate districts drawn without regard to incumbency or partisanship; and
WHEREAS, the Amendment will result in attracting more candidates for the General Assembly
and more competition for legislative seats, resulting in more choices for voters; and
WHEREAS, the Amendment will help to protect the voting rights of racial and ethnic minorities
and prohibit drawing maps that dilute or diminish the ability of racial or language minority communities to
elect the candidates of their choice; and
WHEREAS, in adopting the Amendment, the public will be allowed to view and participate in
redistricting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of
Oak Brook, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois as follows:
Section 1: Recitals. The foregoing recitals are hereby incorporated into, and made a part
of, this Resolution as the findings of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Oak Brook.
Section 2: Resolved. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the President and Board of
Trustees of the Village of Oak Brook support the Independent Map Amendment and the establishment of
a non-partisan, independent commission responsible for drawing State legislative districts.
Section 3: Effective Date. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its
passage, approval, and publication as required by law.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
Resolution 2016-GL-MA-R-1559
Supporting The Independent Map Amendment
Page 2 of 3
APPROVED THIS 26th day of April, 2016.
Gopal G. Lalmalani
Village President
PASSED THIS 26th day of April, 2016.
Ayes:
Nays:
Absent: Trustee Tiesenga
ATTEST:
Charlotte K. Pruss
Village Clerk