West Central Reporter

Springfield lawmakers remain at stark odds over best ways to insure fair and safe federal elections going forward.

While Democrats are pointing to their proposed “For the People Act,” as legislation that will get the job done by ending gerrymandering, protecting the right to vote and cracking down on corruption, Republicans are blasting it as more Democratic overreach.

Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville), the ranking Republican on the House panel that studied the legislation, went even further, lamenting that it will mean “fewer freedoms” for residents and “more money for politicians.”

Davis, a potential candidate for Illinois governor in 2022, further warned if the bill passes the Senate  “members of Congress will receive money from the federal government to run their campaigns, Americans' First Amendment right to free speech will be greatly reduced and election decisions will be taken from state and local officials.”

While Davis’ list of concerns is long, the most controversial could be a provision that would require remap to be done by an independent commission rather than sitting lawmakers.