Supporters of changing how Illinois draws its legislative maps are defending their effort in court.
The initiative is facing a lawsuit, similar to one that brought down a redistricting plan two years ago. Both attempts would have a commission to draw districts, instead of lawmakers themselves.
David Mellett, the Independent Maps campaign manager, says the 2014 judge's ruling helped guide this year's plan.
"The last time around most of the language was spot on, except one small thing, that prevented people who would be on this independent commission from running for public office within ten years."
This new proposed constitutional amendment does not have that ban. Still... critics say it has other legal problems. Because it assigns the Auditor General and Illinois Supreme Court new roles in redistricting.
In motions filed Friday in Cook County Court ... the Independent Maps Coalition argues those duties are limited, and within the scope of the law.
