West Central Reporter

Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) recently exchanged frustrated words with a Democratic colleague over a news report that Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration has been having private tête-à-têtes with Democrats over the state's redistricting process.

During a Thursday, Oct. 14, Senate Redistricting Committee hearing, state Sen. Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) told McClure that he didn't know about the news report in Crain's Chicago Business about the meetings, or the meetings themselves.

State Sen. Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) | senatorelgiesims.com/

"I am unaware of any meetings taking place," Sims replied. "I've not seen the article so I can't comment on those meetings or that article."

McClure asked if Sims or Committee Chairman Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) "were going to look into this."  

"I mean, if I were the chair and vice chair of this committee, I would be very upset that there are folks from the governor's office and speaker's office and potentially in the president's office meeting with people without my knowledge who were not updating me, particularly since you are trying to collect information and data to see how to draw these maps and what should and should not be included," McClure continued. "I would be very upset. I would like some answers."

"I understand that and I certainly don't need to be told how to feel," Sims replied. "I don't have any information for you and I can't provide information I don't have."

Later in their conversation, McClure pointed out that there was more than 24 hours before the committee's next meeting and that, maybe, Sims could find out more in that time to answer the questions.

"I appreciate that you don’t have that information now but you certainly have more than adequate time to make a few phone calls and get that information. Is someone going to do that?" McClure asked. "Or does this not concern you? I think the public would like to know as are other members of this committee. Are we going to figure out what these meetings entail?"

"I can't speak to that," Sims replied. "What I can speak to is the process before us. We will take that up throughout the process."

Sims' exchange with McClure happened before a largely empty committee hearing room at the Capitol, according to a KWQC news report the same day. More reporters than lawmakers were present and no one from the public turned up to testify virtually or in-person. 

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) told KWQC that people aren't interested in testifying because they don't feel like they're being heard.

Democrats have yet to release proposed maps.

McClure's cynicism about the redistricting process in Illinois isn't a new thing. In early September, McClure issued a statement saying the redistricting process is, again, "abused for partisan gain."

"This whole process has been an embarrassment to anyone who cares about state government, and to the very ideals of democracy," McClure said in his Sept. 1 statement. "We've held numerous hearings where the pleas and urgings of diverse community organizations have repeatedly been ignored and redistricting leaders have refused to answer questions. Democratic leadership has made one thing very clear, they will do whatever they can to manipulate the entire process for partisan political gain. I hope that Governor J.B. Pritzker will have a change of heart and finally follow through on his clear promise to veto any map drawn by lawmakers."