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>>> WELCOME TO "AT ISSUE." I AM H. WAYNE WILSON.
I AM H. WAYNE WILSON. WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT
WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT A PROCESS THAT MOST OF US LOOK
A PROCESS THAT MOST OF US LOOK UPON WITH DISDAIN, THAT IS THE
UPON WITH DISDAIN, THAT IS THE PROCESS OF GERRYMANDERING
PROCESS OF GERRYMANDERING POLITICAL DISTRICTS.
POLITICAL DISTRICTS. GERRYMANDER, OF COURSE, COMES
GERRYMANDER, OF COURSE, COMES FROM ELDRIDGE, GERRY OF
FROM ELDRIDGE, GERRY OF MASSACHUSETTS, DECADES,
MASSACHUSETTS, DECADES, CENTURIES AGO, NONETHELESS, WE
CENTURIES AGO, NONETHELESS, WE ALL USE IT TO OUR POLITICAL
ALL USE IT TO OUR POLITICAL GAIN.
GAIN. WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT A
WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT A PROCESS THAT MAY CHANGE THAT IN
PROCESS THAT MAY CHANGE THAT IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, I
TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, I HAVE INVITED MICHAEL KOLENC TO
HAVE INVITED MICHAEL KOLENC TO JOIN US, CHAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR
JOIN US, CHAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR ORGANIZATION CALLED "YES FOR
ORGANIZATION CALLED "YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS."
INDEPENDENT MAPS." WE WILL EXPLAIN WHAT THAT GROUP
WE WILL EXPLAIN WHAT THAT GROUP IS IN A MINUTE.
IS IN A MINUTE. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US. >>THANK YOU.
>>THANK YOU. >>A FAMILIAR FACE TO CENTRAL
>>A FAMILIAR FACE TO CENTRAL ILLINOISIANS, BRAD MC MILLAN FOR
ILLINOISIANS, BRAD MC MILLAN FOR PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP WHERE HE
PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP WHERE HE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "AT
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "AT ISSUE."
ISSUE." >>GERRYMANDER.
>>GERRYMANDER. THERE IS NO WAY TO LOOK AT THAT
THERE IS NO WAY TO LOOK AT THAT WORD AND SAY "THAT'S A GOOD
WORD AND SAY "THAT'S A GOOD TERM."
TERM." WHY HAS THAT BEEN AROUND FOR SO
WHY HAS THAT BEEN AROUND FOR SO LONG?
LONG? WHY HAVEN'T WE GOTTEN UPSET
WHY HAVEN'T WE GOTTEN UPSET ABOUT IT BEFORE?
ABOUT IT BEFORE? >> WELL --
>> WELL -- >>OR MAYBE WE HAVE HAVEN'T DONE
>>OR MAYBE WE HAVE HAVEN'T DONE ENOUGH.
ENOUGH. >>I THINK THAT'S THE POINT.
>>I THINK THAT'S THE POINT. I THINK VOTERS ARE FED UP WITH
I THINK VOTERS ARE FED UP WITH THESE CRAZY SHAPED DISTRICTS
THESE CRAZY SHAPED DISTRICTS THAT MAKE NO COMMON SENSE, I
THAT MAKE NO COMMON SENSE, I MEAN, TO THE VOTERS, THEY LOOK
MEAN, TO THE VOTERS, THEY LOOK AT THESE LINES THAT ARE DRAWN
AT THESE LINES THAT ARE DRAWN AND JUST SHAKE THEIR HEADS AND
AND JUST SHAKE THEIR HEADS AND ARE VERY UPSET.
ARE VERY UPSET. BUT I THINK PART OF THE PROBLEM
BUT I THINK PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE VOTERS DON'T REALIZE THAT
IS THE VOTERS DON'T REALIZE THAT IN ILLINOIS, AT LEAST, THEY CAN
IN ILLINOIS, AT LEAST, THEY CAN CHANGE THIS THEMSELVES, AND WE
CHANGE THIS THEMSELVES, AND WE DON'T NEED ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE
DON'T NEED ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM.
TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM. SO THAT'S WHERE YES FOR
SO THAT'S WHERE YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS IS TRYING TO
INDEPENDENT MAPS IS TRYING TO DO.
DO. >>BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THE
>>BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THE CHANGE, WOULD YOU BE KIND ENOUGH
CHANGE, WOULD YOU BE KIND ENOUGH TO EXPLAIN THE CURRENT SYSTEM.
TO EXPLAIN THE CURRENT SYSTEM. WHO PICKS THE BOUNDARIES.
WHO PICKS THE BOUNDARIES. >>YEAH, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE
>>YEAH, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE POLITICAL LEADERS SITTING IN
POLITICAL LEADERS SITTING IN SPRINGFIELD BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
SPRINGFIELD BEHIND CLOSED DOORS WITH SPECIAL INTERESTS AND
WITH SPECIAL INTERESTS AND LOBBYISTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY
LOBBYISTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY DRAWING THESE MAPS.
DRAWING THESE MAPS. RATHER THAN VOTERS ACROSS THE
RATHER THAN VOTERS ACROSS THE STATE BEING ABLE TO PICK THEIR
STATE BEING ABLE TO PICK THEIR STATE LEGISLATORS, YOU HAVE A
STATE LEGISLATORS, YOU HAVE A SELECT FEW IN SPRINGFIELD BEING
SELECT FEW IN SPRINGFIELD BEING ABLE TO SELECT YOU, AND THAT IS
ABLE TO SELECT YOU, AND THAT IS A WRONG WAY TO DO THE MAP MAKING
A WRONG WAY TO DO THE MAP MAKING PROCESS.
PROCESS. YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS, A
YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS, A COALITION OF VERY, VERY BROAD
COALITION OF VERY, VERY BROAD COALITION OF ORGANIZATIONS AND
COALITION OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS AIM TO CORRECT THAT
INDIVIDUALS AIM TO CORRECT THAT WITH AN AMENDMENT TO THE
WITH AN AMENDMENT TO THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION TO
ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION TO IMPLEMENT AN INDEPENDENT
IMPLEMENT AN INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING SYSTEM THAT WILL
REDISTRICTING SYSTEM THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY WE DRAW STATE
CHANGE THE WAY WE DRAW STATE MAPS.
MAPS. >>I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE
>>I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE COMPARISON.
COMPARISON. HOW DO THEY DRAW THE MAPS RIGHT
HOW DO THEY DRAW THE MAPS RIGHT NOW?
NOW? >> YOU KNOW WHAT, NO ONE KNOWS
>> YOU KNOW WHAT, NO ONE KNOWS BECAUSE NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO
BECAUSE NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO GO INTO THE ROOM.
GO INTO THE ROOM. IT IS LITERALLY A LOCKED ROOM
IT IS LITERALLY A LOCKED ROOM THAT IS GUARDED.
THAT IS GUARDED. THEY DRAW MAPS WHERE IF I VOTED
THEY DRAW MAPS WHERE IF I VOTED FOR SOMETHING, OR I *** SOMEONE
FOR SOMETHING, OR I *** SOMEONE OFF OR I AM THE PARTY THAT IS
OFF OR I AM THE PARTY THAT IS NOT IN POWER, I GET PUNISHED.
NOT IN POWER, I GET PUNISHED. PARTY IN POWER, IT IS INCUMBENT
PARTY IN POWER, IT IS INCUMBENT PROTECTION EVERY TEN YEARS WHERE
PROTECTION EVERY TEN YEARS WHERE THE POLITICAL LEADERS OF MY
THE POLITICAL LEADERS OF MY PARTY WILL DRAW ME A FAVORABLE
PARTY WILL DRAW ME A FAVORABLE MAP, AND THEY WILL SLICE UP
MAP, AND THEY WILL SLICE UP NEIGHBORHOODS, AND USE
NEIGHBORHOODS, AND USE UP-TO-DATE TECHNOLOGY AND USE
UP-TO-DATE TECHNOLOGY AND USE STREETS TO PICK UP SUBDIVISIONS
STREETS TO PICK UP SUBDIVISIONS AND PEOPLES AND TO REALLY GIVE
AND PEOPLES AND TO REALLY GIVE ME A PADDED, PADDED VICTORY ON
ME A PADDED, PADDED VICTORY ON ELECTION DAY.
ELECTION DAY. >>SO THE CURRENT PROCESS
>>SO THE CURRENT PROCESS ACTUALLY, AS I READ IT, PROTECTS
ACTUALLY, AS I READ IT, PROTECTS THE INCUMBENTS.
THE INCUMBENTS. >>ABSOLUTELY.
>>ABSOLUTELY. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT AFTER THE 2010 CENSUS WHERE THE
AFTER THE 2010 CENSUS WHERE THE LATEST ROUND OF THIS SERIOUSLY
LATEST ROUND OF THIS SERIOUSLY FLAWED REDISTRICTING PROCESS WAS
FLAWED REDISTRICTING PROCESS WAS USED.
USED. WE HAD 97% OF INCUMBANTS
WE HAD 97% OF INCUMBANTS REELECTED IN ILLINOIS, AND
REELECTED IN ILLINOIS, AND TWO-THIRDS OF OUR INCUMBANTS
TWO-THIRDS OF OUR INCUMBANTS DIDN'T FACE CHALLENGERS.
DIDN'T FACE CHALLENGERS. H, THIS IS SIMPLY NOT GOOD
H, THIS IS SIMPLY NOT GOOD DEMOCRACY.
DEMOCRACY. I DON'T THINK ILLINOISIANS ARE
I DON'T THINK ILLINOISIANS ARE 97% HAPPY WITH THE JOB THE
97% HAPPY WITH THE JOB THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS
ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS DOING.
DOING. THEY ARE DRAWING THESE DISTRICTS
THEY ARE DRAWING THESE DISTRICTS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, AND
TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, AND BOTTOM LINE IS IT IS NOT IN THE
BOTTOM LINE IS IT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC BEST INTEREST.
PUBLIC BEST INTEREST. >>SO, WITH THAT AS BACKGROUND,
>>SO, WITH THAT AS BACKGROUND, YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS IS
YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS IS GOING TO DO WHAT?
GOING TO DO WHAT? >> RIGHT NOW WE ARE COLLECTING
>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE COLLECTING SIGNATURES TO PUT A BALLOT
SIGNATURES TO PUT A BALLOT MEASURE ON THE NOVEMBER 2014
MEASURE ON THE NOVEMBER 2014 BALLOT THAT WILL AMEND THE
BALLOT THAT WILL AMEND THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION TO TAKE
ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION TO TAKE AWAY THE POWER FROM POLITICAL
AWAY THE POWER FROM POLITICAL LEADERS TO DRAW THESE MAPS AND
LEADERS TO DRAW THESE MAPS AND PUT IT IN THE HANDS OF AN 11
PUT IT IN THE HANDS OF AN 11 PERSON INDEPENDENT COMMISSION
PERSON INDEPENDENT COMMISSION WILL, DRAW MAPS IN A TRANSPARENT
WILL, DRAW MAPS IN A TRANSPARENT FASHION.
FASHION. THOSE 11 PEOPLE WILL COME FROM
THOSE 11 PEOPLE WILL COME FROM WHERE THIS.
WHERE THIS. THEY WILL COME FROM ACROSS THE
THEY WILL COME FROM ACROSS THE STATE.
STATE. SO OUR MEASURE, THE MEASURE THAT
SO OUR MEASURE, THE MEASURE THAT THE YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS
THE YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS COALITION IS PUTTING FORWARD IS
COALITION IS PUTTING FORWARD IS REALLY MIRROR AFTER THE
REALLY MIRROR AFTER THE CALIFORNIA ONE THAT PASSED IN
CALIFORNIA ONE THAT PASSED IN 2008.
2008. IN ILLINOIS, ANYONE CAN APPLY TO
IN ILLINOIS, ANYONE CAN APPLY TO BE ON THIS COMMISSION, EXCEPT
BE ON THIS COMMISSION, EXCEPT PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO
PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO OFFICE AT LOWEST TO HIGHEST
OFFICE AT LOWEST TO HIGHEST LEVELS IT IN THE STATE, STATE
LEVELS IT IN THE STATE, STATE EMPLOYEES, STATE LOBBYISTS,
EMPLOYEES, STATE LOBBYISTS, FEDERAL LOBBYISTS, AND PEOPLE
FEDERAL LOBBYISTS, AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE CONTRACTS WITH THE
THAT HAVE CONTRACTS WITH THE STATE, AND PEOPLE THAT LIVE
STATE, AND PEOPLE THAT LIVE UNDER THE SAME ROOF AS ANY ONE
UNDER THE SAME ROOF AS ANY ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS. FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS AFTER
FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS AFTER YOU SERVED ON THIS COMMISSION,
YOU SERVED ON THIS COMMISSION, CAN YOU NOT RUN FOR STATE OFFICE
CAN YOU NOT RUN FOR STATE OFFICE OR BE APPOINTED TO ANYTHING IN
OR BE APPOINTED TO ANYTHING IN THE STATE REQUIRING
THE STATE REQUIRING CONFIRMATION.
CONFIRMATION. TAKING OUT THE ABILITY FOR BAD
TAKING OUT THE ABILITY FOR BAD ACTORS TO GAIN THE POLITICAL
ACTORS TO GAIN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OR POLITICAL PARTY OF A
SYSTEM OR POLITICAL PARTY OF A GROUP.
GROUP. >>YOU HAVE PAINTED A PICTURE
>>YOU HAVE PAINTED A PICTURE WHERE SOME PEOPLE ARE
WHERE SOME PEOPLE ARE ELIMINATED, BUT, STILL, THAT
ELIMINATED, BUT, STILL, THAT LEAVES MILLIONS --
LEAVES MILLIONS -- >>ABSOLUTELY.
>>ABSOLUTELY. >>ELIGIBLE, OTHER THAN THAT.
>>ELIGIBLE, OTHER THAN THAT. >>THAT'S RIGHT.
>>THAT'S RIGHT. >>MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.
>>MILLIONS OF PEOPLE. >>THAT ARE INTERESTED AND WANT
>>THAT ARE INTERESTED AND WANT TO SIT ON THE COMMISSION TO HELP
TO SIT ON THE COMMISSION TO HELP DRAW MAPS.
DRAW MAPS. DO THEY APPLY.
DO THEY APPLY. >>THEY APPLY.
>>THEY APPLY. IN CALIFORNIA, THEY SAW 30,000
IN CALIFORNIA, THEY SAW 30,000 PEOPLE SENT IN APPLICATIONS TO
PEOPLE SENT IN APPLICATIONS TO SIT ON THIS COMMISSION.
SIT ON THIS COMMISSION. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY PEOPLE WE
WHO KNOWS HOW MANY PEOPLE WE WILL SEE APPLY HERE.
WILL SEE APPLY HERE. THE FACT IS IT WILL BE A AN OPEN
THE FACT IS IT WILL BE A AN OPEN PROCESS FOR ANYONE TO.
PROCESS FOR ANYONE TO. IT IS A COMMISSION MADE UP OF
IT IS A COMMISSION MADE UP OF FOUR DEMOCRATS, FOUR
FOUR DEMOCRATS, FOUR REPUBLICANS, AND THREE NONE
REPUBLICANS, AND THREE NONE AFFILIATED TO APPROVE ANY MAP,
AFFILIATED TO APPROVE ANY MAP, YOU NEED TWO DEMOCRATS, TWO
YOU NEED TWO DEMOCRATS, TWO REPUBLICANS, AND TWO
REPUBLICANS, AND TWO NON-AFFILIATED TO VOTE YES FOR A
NON-AFFILIATED TO VOTE YES FOR A P MA.
P MA. ONCE VOTED YES, IT IS THE LAW OF
ONCE VOTED YES, IT IS THE LAW OF THE LAND.
THE LAND. >>I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND WHO
>>I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND WHO IS PICKING THE 11?
IS PICKING THE 11? SO THE MEASURE SAYS THE AUDITOR
SO THE MEASURE SAYS THE AUDITOR GENERAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
GENERAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING UP A HUMAN RESOURCES
SETTING UP A HUMAN RESOURCES COMMISSION IN ESSENCE, THREE
COMMISSION IN ESSENCE, THREE PERSON COMMISSION THAT IS
PERSON COMMISSION THAT IS SUPPOSED TO INTAKE ALL THESE
SUPPOSED TO INTAKE ALL THESE RESUMES.
RESUMES. THE INTAKE OF RESUMES, THE DATA
THE INTAKE OF RESUMES, THE DATA THAT ARE ON THE RESUMES AND THE
THAT ARE ON THE RESUMES AND THE APPLICATIONS AND THE PROCESS OF
APPLICATIONS AND THE PROCESS OF SIFTING THROUGH THEM, ALL OPEN
SIFTING THROUGH THEM, ALL OPEN MEETINGS.
MEETINGS. ANYONE CAN SEE THIS INFORMATION
ANYONE CAN SEE THIS INFORMATION THAT WANTS TO.
THAT WANTS TO. SO THIS THREE PERSON PANEL WILL
SO THIS THREE PERSON PANEL WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PICKING THE
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PICKING THE ONE HUNDRED MOST QUALIFIED
ONE HUNDRED MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE OUT OF THIS POOL.
PEOPLE OUT OF THIS POOL. ANYONE WITH CONFLICT OF INTEREST
ANYONE WITH CONFLICT OF INTEREST OR NOT QUALIFIED TO BE ON THIS
OR NOT QUALIFIED TO BE ON THIS COMMISSION, THEY WILL COME UP
COMMISSION, THEY WILL COME UP WITH THIS POOL OF 100 PEOPLE
WITH THIS POOL OF 100 PEOPLE FROM THERE, WE HAVE THE FOUR
FROM THERE, WE HAVE THE FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS COME IN.
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS COME IN. THEY EACH GET TO TAKE OUT FIVE
THEY EACH GET TO TAKE OUT FIVE PEOPLE FROM THIS POOL.
PEOPLE FROM THIS POOL. SO YOU HAVE A POOL OF 80 NOW.
SO YOU HAVE A POOL OF 80 NOW. SO IN THEORY, THE LEADERS FROM
SO IN THEORY, THE LEADERS FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WILL TAKE
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WILL TAKE OUT THEIR MOST PARTISAN
OUT THEIR MOST PARTISAN REPUBLICANS, AND VICE VERSA.
REPUBLICANS, AND VICE VERSA. SO FROM THE POOL OF 80, YOU HAVE
SO FROM THE POOL OF 80, YOU HAVE A LOTTERY.
A LOTTERY. AUDITOR GENERAL'S OFFICE WILL
AUDITOR GENERAL'S OFFICE WILL DRAW NAMES OUT OF THIS POOL
DRAW NAMES OUT OF THIS POOL UNTIL YOU HAVE TWO REPUBLICANS,
UNTIL YOU HAVE TWO REPUBLICANS, TWO DEMOCRATS, AND THREE
TWO DEMOCRATS, AND THREE NON-AFFILIATED PEOPLE.
NON-AFFILIATED PEOPLE. THREE OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE FROM
THREE OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE FROM COOK COUNTY, AND ONE EACH FROM
COOK COUNTY, AND ONE EACH FROM THE OTHER JUDICIAL DISTRICTS IN
THE OTHER JUDICIAL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.
THE STATE. SO, NOW, WE HAVE A COUPLE SEATS
SO, NOW, WE HAVE A COUPLE SEATS LEFT.
LEFT. YOU BRING IN THE FOUR LEADERS,
YOU BRING IN THE FOUR LEADERS, AND YOU SAY EACH OF YOU GET TO
AND YOU SAY EACH OF YOU GET TO PICK ONE PERSON BUT IT HAS TO
PICK ONE PERSON BUT IT HAS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC OR
CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC OR THE GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY OF THIS
THE GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY OF THIS PANEL, AND THAT'S HOW YOU COME
PANEL, AND THAT'S HOW YOU COME UP WITH 11 PERSON COMMISSION.
UP WITH 11 PERSON COMMISSION. IT IS A LONG PROCESS, BUT IT IS
IT IS A LONG PROCESS, BUT IT IS A LONG PROCESS AND COMPLICATED
A LONG PROCESS AND COMPLICATED PROCESS ON PURPOSE BECAUSE WE
PROCESS ON PURPOSE BECAUSE WE WANT THERE TO BE FAITH IN THIS
WANT THERE TO BE FAITH IN THIS MAP MAKING PROCESS.
MAP MAKING PROCESS. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THERE IS NOT.
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THERE IS NOT. >>WHEN YOU REFER TO THE
>>WHEN YOU REFER TO THE DISTRICTS, YOU ARE REFERRING TO
DISTRICTS, YOU ARE REFERRING TO SUPREME COURT DISTRICTS, FOUR
SUPREME COURT DISTRICTS, FOUR DOWNSTATE.
DOWNSTATE. >>CORRECT.
>>CORRECT. >>AND FOUR DOWNSTATE, AND THE
>>AND FOUR DOWNSTATE, AND THE REST IN CHICAGO.
REST IN CHICAGO. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. >>BRAD, WE UNDERSTAND NOW HOW WE
>>BRAD, WE UNDERSTAND NOW HOW WE GET TO THE 11 MEMBER GROUP THAT
GET TO THE 11 MEMBER GROUP THAT THEN WILL SIT DOWN AND DRAW THE
THEN WILL SIT DOWN AND DRAW THE BOUNDARIES EVERY TEN YEARS.
BOUNDARIES EVERY TEN YEARS. ARE THERE SOME RULES THAT THEY
ARE THERE SOME RULES THAT THEY WILL WORK BY?
WILL WORK BY? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THERE IS VERY SPECIFIC CRITERIA
THERE IS VERY SPECIFIC CRITERIA THAT IS LAID OUT IN THE
THAT IS LAID OUT IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. THEY HAVE TO TRY TO PROTECT
THEY HAVE TO TRY TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST,
COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST, GEOGRAPHIC INTERESTS, AND ALSO
GEOGRAPHIC INTERESTS, AND ALSO THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE AND
THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE AND PROTECT MINORITY VOTING RIGHTS
PROTECT MINORITY VOTING RIGHTS UNDER THE FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS
UNDER THE FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT.
ACT. I THINK WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO
I THINK WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO END UP SEEING, H, AGAIN, IT IS
END UP SEEING, H, AGAIN, IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOUR
REALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOUR VIEWERS TO UNDERSTAND WE REALLY
VIEWERS TO UNDERSTAND WE REALLY LOOK AT REDISTRICTING REFORMS
LOOK AT REDISTRICTING REFORMS GOING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND
GOING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND WE TRY TO TAKE THE BEST
WE TRY TO TAKE THE BEST PRACTICES FROM THOSE REFORM
PRACTICES FROM THOSE REFORM EFFORTS TO FASHION THE YES FOR
EFFORTS TO FASHION THE YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS, INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT MAPS, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION.
COMMISSION. THIS IS THE FAIREST, BEST
THIS IS THE FAIREST, BEST PROCESS THAT YOU COULD POSSIBLY
PROCESS THAT YOU COULD POSSIBLY COME UP WITH.
COME UP WITH. AND WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO END UP
AND WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO END UP SEEING, IS YOU WILL END UP
SEEING, IS YOU WILL END UP SEEING MUCH MORE REASONABLY
SEEING MUCH MORE REASONABLY SHAPED STATE LEGISLATIVE
SHAPED STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS THAT ARE MORE BALANCED
DISTRICTS THAT ARE MORE BALANCED POLITICALLY BECAUSE YOU STARTED
POLITICALLY BECAUSE YOU STARTED OFF THE SHOW TALKING ABOUT THE
OFF THE SHOW TALKING ABOUT THE CURRENT PROCESS, AND
CURRENT PROCESS, AND GERRYMANDERING.
GERRYMANDERING. WHAT REALLY HAPPENS WITH THE
WHAT REALLY HAPPENS WITH THE POLITICAL LEADER WHEN THEY DRAW
POLITICAL LEADER WHEN THEY DRAW THESE MAPS, IS THEY GO STREET BY
THESE MAPS, IS THEY GO STREET BY STREET AND LOOK AT YOUR VOTING
STREET AND LOOK AT YOUR VOTING HISTORY.
HISTORY. IT IS ALL ABOUT POWER AND
IT IS ALL ABOUT POWER AND CONTROL.
CONTROL. AND WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO
AND WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT IS A DISTRICT
IS MAKE SURE THAT IS A DISTRICT IS 65% EITHER DEMOCRAT OR
IS 65% EITHER DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN BASED ON PAST VOTING
REPUBLICAN BASED ON PAST VOTING HISTORY.
HISTORY. AND THAT'S HOW YOU GET THESE
AND THAT'S HOW YOU GET THESE INCUMBENTS GETTING REELECTED AT
INCUMBENTS GETTING REELECTED AT THESE VERY HIGH NUMBERS HERE IN
THESE VERY HIGH NUMBERS HERE IN ILLINOIS.
ILLINOIS. WITH THE TRANSPARENT PROCESS
WITH THE TRANSPARENT PROCESS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, WITH
THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, WITH THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION WITH
THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION WITH COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY, YOU WILL
COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY, YOU WILL GET RID OF THAT PARTISAN BIAS
GET RID OF THAT PARTISAN BIAS THAT WE HAVE SEEN.
THAT WE HAVE SEEN. >>THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS JUST
>>THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS JUST FOR STATE LEGISLATURE, NOT FOR
FOR STATE LEGISLATURE, NOT FOR CONGRESS?
CONGRESS? >> RIGHT.
>> RIGHT. AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, IT
AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, IT PAINS ME GREATLY.
PAINS ME GREATLY. BUT UNDER THE ILLINOIS
BUT UNDER THE ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION, WE CAN ONLY BRING
CONSTITUTION, WE CAN ONLY BRING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO CHANGE THE STRUCTURE OR THE
CHANGE THE STRUCTURE OR THE PROCESS OF THE ILLINOIS GENERAL
PROCESS OF THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
ASSEMBLY. NOW WE BELIEVE THAT IF WE GET
NOW WE BELIEVE THAT IF WE GET THIS BALLOT INITIATIVE ON THE
THIS BALLOT INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER 2014, AND
BALLOT IN NOVEMBER 2014, AND THAT IT PASSES, THAT ULTIMATELY
THAT IT PASSES, THAT ULTIMATELY THERE WILL BE PRESSURE THAT WILL
THERE WILL BE PRESSURE THAT WILL COME TO BARON THE ILLINOIS
COME TO BARON THE ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL MAP DRAWING
CONGRESSIONAL MAP DRAWING PROCESS BECAUSE THE ILLINOIS
PROCESS BECAUSE THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS THE APPROVAL, THE VOTING APPROVAL OF
APPROVAL, THE VOTING APPROVAL OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP.
THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP. IF ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE ILLINOIS
IF ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS TO GO
GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS TO GO THROUGH THIS VERY TRANSPARENT
THROUGH THIS VERY TRANSPARENT FAIR PROCESS, I THINK THERE WILL
FAIR PROCESS, I THINK THERE WILL BE PUBLIC PRESSURE AND POLITICAL
BE PUBLIC PRESSURE AND POLITICAL PRESSURE TO EVENTUALLY CHANGE
PRESSURE TO EVENTUALLY CHANGE THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP DRAWING
THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP DRAWING PROCESS AS WELL.
PROCESS AS WELL. WE JUST CAN'T INCLUDE IT IN THE
WE JUST CAN'T INCLUDE IT IN THE ACTUAL LANGUAGE OF THE
ACTUAL LANGUAGE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. >>LET ME TALK ABOUT WHAT WE
>>LET ME TALK ABOUT WHAT WE MIGHT SEE BECAUSE THE
MIGHT SEE BECAUSE THE REQUIREMENTS, AS THEY ARE
REQUIREMENTS, AS THEY ARE ROUGHLY DRAWN OUT RIGHT NOW, WE
ROUGHLY DRAWN OUT RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T KNOW THE WORDING OF THE
DON'T KNOW THE WORDING OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT YET.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT YET. >>WE DON'T KNOW THE WORDING OF
>>WE DON'T KNOW THE WORDING OF THE TITLE THAT WILL APPEAR ON
THE TITLE THAT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT.
THE BALLOT. WE HAVE THE 1500 WORD AMENDMENT
WE HAVE THE 1500 WORD AMENDMENT WE ARE ACTIVELY CIRCULATING IT
WE ARE ACTIVELY CIRCULATING IT RIGHT NOW.
RIGHT NOW. BUT THE SHORT DESCRIPTION THAT
BUT THE SHORT DESCRIPTION THAT WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE VOTERS,
WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE VOTERS, WE DO NOT KNOW YET.
WE DO NOT KNOW YET. >>THAT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE
>>THAT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL?
ATTORNEY GENERAL? >> CORRECT.
>> CORRECT. >>BUT IN THE 1500 WORDS, IT
>>BUT IN THE 1500 WORDS, IT CALLS FOR CREATING DISTRICTS TO
CALLS FOR CREATING DISTRICTS TO PRESERVE THE VOTING RIGHTS OF
PRESERVE THE VOTING RIGHTS OF MINORITIES?
MINORITIES? >> UH-HUH.
>> UH-HUH. AND RESPECT COMMUNITY AND
AND RESPECT COMMUNITY AND GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES.
GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES. >>UH-HUH.
>>UH-HUH. IN ADDITION TO RESPECTING
IN ADDITION TO RESPECTING COMMUNITIES WITH ECONOMIC OR
COMMUNITIES WITH ECONOMIC OR SOCIAL INTEREST, INCLUDING NOT
SOCIAL INTEREST, INCLUDING NOT DRAWING MAPS TO DISCRIMINATE
DRAWING MAPS TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ONE POLITICAL PARTY OR
AGAINST ONE POLITICAL PARTY OR DRAWING MAPS WHERE ONE PERSON
DRAWING MAPS WHERE ONE PERSON LIVES.
LIVES. YOU CAN'T DRAW A MAP BASED WHERE
YOU CAN'T DRAW A MAP BASED WHERE A POLITICIAN LIVES OR SOMEONE'S
A POLITICIAN LIVES OR SOMEONE'S MOTHER-IN-LAW LIVES OR ANYTHING.
MOTHER-IN-LAW LIVES OR ANYTHING. >>GIVEN ALL THAT, WE ARE NOT
>>GIVEN ALL THAT, WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE NICE RECTANGULAR --
GOING TO SEE NICE RECTANGULAR -- >>WE WILL NOT SEE -- WE WILL NOT
>>WE WILL NOT SEE -- WE WILL NOT SEE NICE RECTANGLE DISTRICTS.
SEE NICE RECTANGLE DISTRICTS. SOME OF THESE DISTRICTS WON'T BE
SOME OF THESE DISTRICTS WON'T BE PRETTY, BUT YOU WILL KNOW THEY
PRETTY, BUT YOU WILL KNOW THEY ARE NOT DIVIDING UP COMMUNITIES
ARE NOT DIVIDING UP COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST ON PURPOSE FOR A
OF INTEREST ON PURPOSE FOR A POLITICAL PURPOSE, TO HARM OR TO
POLITICAL PURPOSE, TO HARM OR TO HELP A CANDIDATE.
HELP A CANDIDATE. >>SO WHAT KIND OF INPUT HAVE
>>SO WHAT KIND OF INPUT HAVE ILLINOISIANS HAD INTO THE
ILLINOISIANS HAD INTO THE PROCESS AND HOW MUCH INPUT WILL
PROCESS AND HOW MUCH INPUT WILL THEY HAVE?
THEY HAVE? >>THIS WAS A TWO YEAR PROCESS TO
>>THIS WAS A TWO YEAR PROCESS TO DEVELOP THIS BALLOT MEASURE.
DEVELOP THIS BALLOT MEASURE. SO WHEN BRAD SAYS THAT THIS IS
SO WHEN BRAD SAYS THAT THIS IS THE MOST CONCLUSIVE SEARCH WHAT
THE MOST CONCLUSIVE SEARCH WHAT HAPPENED TO REALLY MAKE SURE
HAPPENED TO REALLY MAKE SURE THIS AMENDMENT WAS FANTASTIC AND
THIS AMENDMENT WAS FANTASTIC AND REALLY PERFECT FOR ILLINOIS,
REALLY PERFECT FOR ILLINOIS, THAT IS NOT AND EXAGGERATION.
THAT IS NOT AND EXAGGERATION. THIS COALITION SPENT TWO YEARS
THIS COALITION SPENT TWO YEARS REALLY STUDYING BEST PRACTICES
REALLY STUDYING BEST PRACTICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, LOOKING AT
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, LOOKING AT WHAT WORKED AND WHAT DIDN'T,
WHAT WORKED AND WHAT DIDN'T, FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAKE IT WORK
FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAKE IT WORK WITHIN CONFINES OF ILLINOIS
WITHIN CONFINES OF ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION.
CONSTITUTION. TALKING TO BUSINESS LEADERS,
TALKING TO BUSINESS LEADERS, CIVIC LEADERS TO REALLY FIGURE
CIVIC LEADERS TO REALLY FIGURE OUT HOW WE BUILD A COALITION,
OUT HOW WE BUILD A COALITION, HOW WE BUILD AN AMENDMENT, HOW
HOW WE BUILD AN AMENDMENT, HOW WE REALLY FIX WHAT IS GOING ON
WE REALLY FIX WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS PROBLEM.
WITH THIS PROBLEM. THAT IS WHAT WE THINK WE HAVE
THAT IS WHAT WE THINK WE HAVE TODAY.
TODAY. >>SO IF WE HAVE A COALITION, I
>>SO IF WE HAVE A COALITION, I ASSUME THIS IS A BIPARTISAN
ASSUME THIS IS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT, THERE IS PEOPLE FROM ALL
EFFORT, THERE IS PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE?
WALKS OF LIFE? >> IT TRULY IS, H.
>> IT TRULY IS, H. WE HAVE DAVID AXLEROD, DAN
WE HAVE DAVID AXLEROD, DAN RUTHERFORD, GUBERNATORIAL
RUTHERFORD, GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE.
CANDIDATE. WE HAVE INDEPENDENTS.
WE HAVE INDEPENDENTS. WE HAVE A WIDE ARRAY OF
WE HAVE A WIDE ARRAY OF ORGANIZATIONS, THE STATE CHAMBER
ORGANIZATIONS, THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ILLINOIS LEAGUE OF
OF COMMERCE, ILLINOIS LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS.
WOMEN VOTERS. THIS IS A VERY BROAD BASED
THIS IS A VERY BROAD BASED BIPARTISAN COALITION THAT IS --
BIPARTISAN COALITION THAT IS -- HAS COME TOGETHER.
HAS COME TOGETHER. THIS IS ABOUT GOOD GOVERNMENT,
THIS IS ABOUT GOOD GOVERNMENT, AND ALL OF US COMPLAIN ABOUT THE
AND ALL OF US COMPLAIN ABOUT THE MESS THAT ILLINOIS IS IN.
MESS THAT ILLINOIS IS IN. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE, THE
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE, THE VOTERS, WE THE CITIZENS OF
VOTERS, WE THE CITIZENS OF ILLINOIS CAN DO TO TURN ILLINOIS
ILLINOIS CAN DO TO TURN ILLINOIS BACK TO BETTER GOVERNMENT.
BACK TO BETTER GOVERNMENT. AND IN MY VIEW, IT IS THE MOST
AND IN MY VIEW, IT IS THE MOST ESSENTIAL REFORM THAT NEEDS TO
ESSENTIAL REFORM THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO MOVE ILLINOIS BACK IN
HAPPEN TO MOVE ILLINOIS BACK IN A BETTER DIRECTION.
A BETTER DIRECTION. >>IN PAST CONVERSATIONS I HAVE
>>IN PAST CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD WITH YOU, BRAD, WE TALKED
HAD WITH YOU, BRAD, WE TALKED ABOUT AN ORGANIZATION CALLED
ABOUT AN ORGANIZATION CALLED "CHANGE ILLINOIS" WITH REGARD TO
"CHANGE ILLINOIS" WITH REGARD TO REDISTRICTING.
REDISTRICTING. BUT, THAT ORGANIZATION ISN'T
BUT, THAT ORGANIZATION ISN'T LEADING THIS EFFORT.
LEADING THIS EFFORT. IT IS YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS.
IT IS YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS. >>CORRECT.
>>CORRECT. >>WHICH YOU ARE THE CAMPAIGN
>>WHICH YOU ARE THE CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR.
MANAGER FOR. >>CORRECT.
>>CORRECT. >>WHY DID WE HAVE THIS CHANGE?
>>WHY DID WE HAVE THIS CHANGE? >> YOU KNOW, CAMPAIGN FINANCE
>> YOU KNOW, CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS ARE A FUNNY THING IN THIS
LAWS ARE A FUNNY THING IN THIS STATE.
STATE. ONCE AN ORGANIZATION OR AN
ONCE AN ORGANIZATION OR AN ENTITY SPENDS OVER A CERTAIN
ENTITY SPENDS OVER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DOLLARS, I BELIEVE IT
AMOUNT OF DOLLARS, I BELIEVE IT IS $3,000 FOR OR AGAINST A
IS $3,000 FOR OR AGAINST A BALLOT MEASURE, A SEPARATE, A
BALLOT MEASURE, A SEPARATE, A NEW ENTITY CALLED "BALLOT
NEW ENTITY CALLED "BALLOT INITIATIVE" COMMITTEE HAS TO BE
INITIATIVE" COMMITTEE HAS TO BE SET UP.
SET UP. THAT'S WHERE "YES FOR
THAT'S WHERE "YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS COMES IN."
INDEPENDENT MAPS COMES IN." CHANGE ILLINOIS, WHICH LED THIS
CHANGE ILLINOIS, WHICH LED THIS EFFORT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS,
EFFORT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, IS A PART OF THIS COALITION AS
IS A PART OF THIS COALITION AS WELL AS COMMON CAUSE, LEAGUE OF
WELL AS COMMON CAUSE, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND THE CHAMBER OF
WOMEN VOTERS AND THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND HOST OF OTHER
COMMERCE AND HOST OF OTHER GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS.
GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS. >>SO THEY ORIGINATED THE --
>>SO THEY ORIGINATED THE -- >>CORRECT.
>>CORRECT. THEY LED THE DRAFT.
THEY LED THE DRAFT. >>BUT THE LAW DOESN'T ALLOW THEM
>>BUT THE LAW DOESN'T ALLOW THEM TO CARRY FORTH ON IT?
TO CARRY FORTH ON IT? >> CORRECT.
>> CORRECT. >>SO YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS
>>SO YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS WAS CREATED, 501C3?
WAS CREATED, 501C3? >> BALLOT INITIATIVE COMMITTEE
>> BALLOT INITIATIVE COMMITTEE IS HOW WE ARE DEFINED BY STATE
IS HOW WE ARE DEFINED BY STATE LAW.
LAW. WE REPORT TO THE STATE.
WE REPORT TO THE STATE. LIKE ANY OTHER POLITICAL
LIKE ANY OTHER POLITICAL COMMITTEE, ANY OTHER POLITICAL
COMMITTEE, ANY OTHER POLITICAL CAMPAIGN, THAT'S THE EASIEST WAY
CAMPAIGN, THAT'S THE EASIEST WAY TO THINK ABOUT IT.
TO THINK ABOUT IT. LIKE A CAMPAIGN, IT IS A
LIKE A CAMPAIGN, IT IS A TEMPORARY ENDEAVOR.
TEMPORARY ENDEAVOR. I HAVE TO REPORT ALL FINANCIAL
I HAVE TO REPORT ALL FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WE RECEIVE ON
CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WE RECEIVE ON A QUARTERLY BASIS OR PREELECTION
A QUARTERLY BASIS OR PREELECTION BASIS.
BASIS. ANY CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION WE
ANY CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION WE RECEIVE AND PUT IN THE BANK OF
RECEIVE AND PUT IN THE BANK OF THOUSAND DOLLARS OR OVER, WE
THOUSAND DOLLARS OR OVER, WE HAVE TO REPORT IT WITHIN FIVE
HAVE TO REPORT IT WITHIN FIVE DAYS.
DAYS. SO THE SAME WAY YOU WOULD THINK
SO THE SAME WAY YOU WOULD THINK ABOUT GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN,
ABOUT GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN, EASIEST WAY TO THINK ABOUT THE
EASIEST WAY TO THINK ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN THAT, YES FOR
CAMPAIGN THAT, YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS IS RUNNING.
INDEPENDENT MAPS IS RUNNING. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT MONEY.
YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT MONEY. WHERE DOES THE MONEY COMES FROM.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY COMES FROM. >>JUST LIKE A POLITICAL
>>JUST LIKE A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN, WE HAVE TO GO OUT AND
CAMPAIGN, WE HAVE TO GO OUT AND HIT THE PAVEMENT AND WORK THE
HIT THE PAVEMENT AND WORK THE PHONES AND HAVE MEETINGS WITH
PHONES AND HAVE MEETINGS WITH PEOPLE INTERESTED IN MAKING
PEOPLE INTERESTED IN MAKING ILLINOIS BETTER.
ILLINOIS BETTER. SOMETIMES THAT MONEY COMES FROM
SOMETIMES THAT MONEY COMES FROM ORGANIZATIONS.
ORGANIZATIONS. SOMETIMES IT COMES FROM
SOMETIMES IT COMES FROM INDIVIDUALS.
INDIVIDUALS. WE HAVE OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US.
WE HAVE OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US. THIS A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO TALK
THIS A DIFFICULT ISSUE TO TALK ABOUT, AND THERE IS A LOT OF
ABOUT, AND THERE IS A LOT OF VESTED INTEREST IN THIS STATE
VESTED INTEREST IN THIS STATE FOR THE STATUS QUO.
FOR THE STATUS QUO. RAISING MONEY IS DIFFICULT, BUT
RAISING MONEY IS DIFFICULT, BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE COMMITTED
IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING.
TO DOING. IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WE
IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WE NEED TO REACH OUR GOALS.
NEED TO REACH OUR GOALS. >>NO PUBLIC DOLLARS ARE INVOLVED
>>NO PUBLIC DOLLARS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS?
IN THIS? >> NONE.
>> NONE. >>SO THE GOAL IS TO HAVE
>>SO THE GOAL IS TO HAVE APPROXIMATELY 298,000 SIGNATURES
APPROXIMATELY 298,000 SIGNATURES BY MAY 4.
BY MAY 4. >>YES.
>>YES. WE ARE ACTUALLY OUR GOAL, H, IS
WE ARE ACTUALLY OUR GOAL, H, IS 500,000 BECAUSE WE WANT TO GIVE
500,000 BECAUSE WE WANT TO GIVE OURSELVES ENOUGH OF A CUSHION
OURSELVES ENOUGH OF A CUSHION FOR ANY PETITION CHALLENGES THAT
FOR ANY PETITION CHALLENGES THAT MIGHT COME OUR WAY.
MIGHT COME OUR WAY. SO OUR GOAL IS TO GET HALF
SO OUR GOAL IS TO GET HALF MILLION SIGNATURES BY MAY 4.
MILLION SIGNATURES BY MAY 4. WE ARE GOING TO BE HAVING A
WE ARE GOING TO BE HAVING A REGIONAL MEETING NEXT WEEK,
REGIONAL MEETING NEXT WEEK, JANUARY 23 AT THE DOWNTOWN
JANUARY 23 AT THE DOWNTOWN PEORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY AT 4 FOR
PEORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY AT 4 FOR ANY INTERESTED VIEWERS THAT WANT
ANY INTERESTED VIEWERS THAT WANT TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP THIS
TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP THIS IMPORTANT CAUSE.
IMPORTANT CAUSE. WE WILL ACTUALLY BE HANDING OUT
WE WILL ACTUALLY BE HANDING OUT PETITIONS.
PETITIONS. WE WILL BE HANDING OUT IN
WE WILL BE HANDING OUT IN INSTRUCTIONS, AND WE ALSO HAVE
INSTRUCTIONS, AND WE ALSO HAVE OUR WEB SITE IS
OUR WEB SITE IS INDEPENDENTMAPS.ORG.
INDEPENDENTMAPS.ORG. YOU CAN GO AND YOU CAN READ ALL
YOU CAN GO AND YOU CAN READ ALL ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL
ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, THE COALITION
AMENDMENT, THE COALITION MEMBERS, AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY
MEMBERS, AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY SIGN UP ON THAT WEB SITE TO
SIGN UP ON THAT WEB SITE TO VOLUNTEER AND TO HAVE PETITIONS
VOLUNTEER AND TO HAVE PETITIONS MAILED TO YOUR HOUSE.
MAILED TO YOUR HOUSE. WE NEED GOOD CITIZENS TO STEP UP
WE NEED GOOD CITIZENS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND HELP US GET
TO THE PLATE AND HELP US GET THIS ON THE BALLOT.
THIS ON THE BALLOT. THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY WANT.
THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY WANT. WE WANT THIS ON THE BALLOT FOR
WE WANT THIS ON THE BALLOT FOR ILLINOIS VOTERS CAN DECIDE NEXT
ILLINOIS VOTERS CAN DECIDE NEXT NOVEMBER WHETHER OR NOT THIS
NOVEMBER WHETHER OR NOT THIS REDISTRICTING PROCESS SHOULD BE
REDISTRICTING PROCESS SHOULD BE CHANGED.
CHANGED. >>HOW FAR ALONG ARE YOU?
>>HOW FAR ALONG ARE YOU? WE ARE MAKING FANTASTIC
WE ARE MAKING FANTASTIC PROGRESS.
PROGRESS. WE ARE WELL ALONG, AND WELL ON
WE ARE WELL ALONG, AND WELL ON OUR WAY TO REACHING OUR GOAL
OUR WAY TO REACHING OUR GOAL BEFORE MAY 4.
BEFORE MAY 4. >>WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE MORE
>>WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE MORE SPECIFIC?
SPECIFIC? >> NO, I WOULD NOT.
>> NO, I WOULD NOT. THANK YOU THOUGH!
THANK YOU THOUGH! (LAUGHING).
(LAUGHING). YOU SAID THIS WAS AN OPEN
YOU SAID THIS WAS AN OPEN PROCESS.
PROCESS. >>IT IS EXTREMELY OPEN PROCESS.
>>IT IS EXTREMELY OPEN PROCESS. BUT LIKE ANY CAMPAIGN, THERE ARE
BUT LIKE ANY CAMPAIGN, THERE ARE TRADE SECRETS.
TRADE SECRETS. THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE LIKE TO
THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE LIKE TO KEEP VERY CLOSE TO THE VEST.
KEEP VERY CLOSE TO THE VEST. WE WILL SAY THAT WE ARE MAKING
WE WILL SAY THAT WE ARE MAKING EXTREME PROGRESS TOWARD OUR
EXTREME PROGRESS TOWARD OUR GOAL.
GOAL. WE HAVE SENT OUT FAR OVER 30,000
WE HAVE SENT OUT FAR OVER 30,000 PETITION SHEETS TO PEOPLE THAT
PETITION SHEETS TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME TO OUR WEB SITE OR
HAVE COME TO OUR WEB SITE OR COALITION ORGANIZATIONS.
COALITION ORGANIZATIONS. SO THAT IS 30,000 PLUS PETITIONS
SO THAT IS 30,000 PLUS PETITIONS THAT ARE CIRCULATING AROUND
THAT ARE CIRCULATING AROUND RIGHT NOW.
RIGHT NOW. PLUS WE HAVE VERY EXTENSIVE
PLUS WE HAVE VERY EXTENSIVE PAVED PROGRAM BASED IN OUR
PAVED PROGRAM BASED IN OUR CHICAGO OFFICE WHERE WE SEND OUT
CHICAGO OFFICE WHERE WE SEND OUT 30, 40 PEOPLE, SIX OR SEVEN DAYS
30, 40 PEOPLE, SIX OR SEVEN DAYS A WEEK TO COLLECT SIGNATURES.
A WEEK TO COLLECT SIGNATURES. THIS IS A PROCESS THAT TAKES
THIS IS A PROCESS THAT TAKES TIME, THAT TAKES PATIENCE, AND
TIME, THAT TAKES PATIENCE, AND TAKES A LOT OF HARD WORK. BUT
TAKES A LOT OF HARD WORK. BUT IT IS A PROCESS THIS COALITION
IT IS A PROCESS THIS COALITION BELIEVES IS DOABLE, AND WE FULLY
BELIEVES IS DOABLE, AND WE FULLY INTEND TO REACH OUR GOAL BEFORE
INTEND TO REACH OUR GOAL BEFORE THE MAY 4 DEADLINE.
THE MAY 4 DEADLINE. THIS IS LIKE ANY OTHER BALLOT
THIS IS LIKE ANY OTHER BALLOT INITIATIVE, YOU HAVE TO BE A
INITIATIVE, YOU HAVE TO BE A REGISTERED VOTER, AND OBVIOUSLY,
REGISTERED VOTER, AND OBVIOUSLY, IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. >>RIGHT.
>>RIGHT. >>IT IS OPEN TO CHALLENGE?
>>IT IS OPEN TO CHALLENGE? >> IT IS OPEN TO CHALLENGE.
>> IT IS OPEN TO CHALLENGE. BUT YOU CAN -- IF YOU CHOOSE TO
BUT YOU CAN -- IF YOU CHOOSE TO CARRY ONE OF OUR PETITIONS, AS
CARRY ONE OF OUR PETITIONS, AS LONG AS SOMEBODY IS A REGISTERED
LONG AS SOMEBODY IS A REGISTERED VOTER IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,
VOTER IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, YOU CAN GET THE SIGNATURE
YOU CAN GET THE SIGNATURE ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.
ANYWHERE IN THE STATE. SO IF YOU ARE UP IN CHICAGO
SO IF YOU ARE UP IN CHICAGO VISITING FAMILY, AND THEY ARE
VISITING FAMILY, AND THEY ARE REGISTERED VOTER IN CHICAGO, CAN
REGISTERED VOTER IN CHICAGO, CAN YOU GET THEM TO SIGN.
YOU GET THEM TO SIGN. IF YOU ARE HERE IN PEORIA OR
IF YOU ARE HERE IN PEORIA OR TAZEWELL, JUST AS LONG AS THEY
TAZEWELL, JUST AS LONG AS THEY ARE A REGISTERED VOTER IN THE
ARE A REGISTERED VOTER IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, YOU CAN GET
STATE OF ILLINOIS, YOU CAN GET THEIR SIGNATURE.
THEIR SIGNATURE. I THINK THIS IS PRETTY SIMPLE.
I THINK THIS IS PRETTY SIMPLE. IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, H, AND
IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, H, AND THE NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES WE
THE NUMBERS OF SIGNATURES WE NEED, I HAVE COMMITTED TO
NEED, I HAVE COMMITTED TO GETTING A HUNDRED SIGNATURES.
GETTING A HUNDRED SIGNATURES. IF WE HAD 5,000 CITIZENS OUT OF
IF WE HAD 5,000 CITIZENS OUT OF THE 12.88 MILLION THAT ARE IN
THE 12.88 MILLION THAT ARE IN ILLINOIS, 5,000 EACH GET ONE
ILLINOIS, 5,000 EACH GET ONE HUNDRED SIGNATURES, BY MAY 4, WE
HUNDRED SIGNATURES, BY MAY 4, WE WOULD REACH OUR HALF MILLION
WOULD REACH OUR HALF MILLION GOAL.
GOAL. >>HOW WELL ARE YOU DOING?
>>HOW WELL ARE YOU DOING? >> I AM DOING VERY WELL.
>> I AM DOING VERY WELL. (LAUGHING) I WILL SAY THIS, PART
(LAUGHING) I WILL SAY THIS, PART OF THE CHALLENGE THIS COALITION
OF THE CHALLENGE THIS COALITION HAD IN THE BEGINNING WAS SET UP
HAD IN THE BEGINNING WAS SET UP A STATE-WIDE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT
A STATE-WIDE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT COULD GATHER ALL THESE
COULD GATHER ALL THESE SIGNATURES, BUT NOT ONLY GATHER
SIGNATURES, BUT NOT ONLY GATHER THE SIGNATURES, BE AROUND AFTER
THE SIGNATURES, BE AROUND AFTER MAY 4 BECAUSE THERE IS A
MAY 4 BECAUSE THERE IS A CAMPAIGN TO HAPPEN AND A
CAMPAIGN TO HAPPEN AND A STATE-WIDE CAMPAIGN IS NOT AN
STATE-WIDE CAMPAIGN IS NOT AN EASY ENDEAVOR TO SET OUT ON.
EASY ENDEAVOR TO SET OUT ON. RIGHT NOW WE ARE ACTUALLY
RIGHT NOW WE ARE ACTUALLY WORKING TO BUILD A VAST NETWORK
WORKING TO BUILD A VAST NETWORK OF VOLUNTEERS ACROSS THE STATE.
OF VOLUNTEERS ACROSS THE STATE. WE HAVE 25 REGIONAL VOLUNTEER
WE HAVE 25 REGIONAL VOLUNTEER TEAMS.
TEAMS. PEORIA TEAM IS A VERY GOOD
PEORIA TEAM IS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE WAY A TEAM SHOULD
EXAMPLE OF THE WAY A TEAM SHOULD WORK.
WORK. WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS HERE THAT ARE
WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS HERE THAT ARE TAKING THE LEAD ON EFFORTS TO
TAKING THE LEAD ON EFFORTS TO COLLECT SIGNATURES IN THE PEORIA
COLLECT SIGNATURES IN THE PEORIA AREA.
AREA. THEY ORGANIZE THE VOLUNTEERS.
THEY ORGANIZE THE VOLUNTEERS. THEY RECRUIT MORE VOLUNTEERS.
THEY RECRUIT MORE VOLUNTEERS. THEY SET UP MEETINGS WHERE THEY
THEY SET UP MEETINGS WHERE THEY ARE TAKING IN PETITIONS, AND
ARE TAKING IN PETITIONS, AND THEY ARE NOTARIZING PETITIONS.
THEY ARE NOTARIZING PETITIONS. THEY ARE GIVING MARCHING ORDERS
THEY ARE GIVING MARCHING ORDERS WE WILL GO TO BASKETBALL GAME OR
WE WILL GO TO BASKETBALL GAME OR CRAFT FAIR OR FARMERS MARKET, AT
CRAFT FAIR OR FARMERS MARKET, AT LEAST NOT RIGHT NOW WITH
LEAST NOT RIGHT NOW WITH FARMER'S MARKET.
FARMER'S MARKET. YOU GET THE IDEA HOW THESE
YOU GET THE IDEA HOW THESE REGIONAL TEAMS WORK.
REGIONAL TEAMS WORK. THAT'S JUST ONE COMPONENT OF
THAT'S JUST ONE COMPONENT OF THIS CAMPAIGN THAT WE ARE
THIS CAMPAIGN THAT WE ARE BUILDING.
BUILDING. >>WHEN DOES THIS GO INTO EFFECT?
>>WHEN DOES THIS GO INTO EFFECT? LET'S ASSUME THE PETITIONS ARE
LET'S ASSUME THE PETITIONS ARE ACCEPTED, ON THE BALLOT, AND
ACCEPTED, ON THE BALLOT, AND PASSED BY CITIZENS IN NOVEMBER.
PASSED BY CITIZENS IN NOVEMBER. WHEN WILL IT GO INTO EFFECT?
WHEN WILL IT GO INTO EFFECT? >> NOT UNTIL AFTER THE 2020
>> NOT UNTIL AFTER THE 2020 CENSUS.
CENSUS. >>EVERY TEN YEARS.
>>EVERY TEN YEARS. >>YEAH, EVERY TEN YEARS. WE ARE
>>YEAH, EVERY TEN YEARS. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR MID-DECADE REDRAW
NOT ASKING FOR MID-DECADE REDRAW MAPS.
MAPS. BRAD, THERE WAS EFFORT NOT TOO
BRAD, THERE WAS EFFORT NOT TOO LONG AGO CALLED "FAIR MAP," VERY
LONG AGO CALLED "FAIR MAP," VERY SIMILAR IN NATURE AND FAILED TO
SIMILAR IN NATURE AND FAILED TO ACHIEVE THE SIGNATURE
ACHIEVE THE SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT.
REQUIREMENT. WHAT HAPPENED THEN THAT YOU
WHAT HAPPENED THEN THAT YOU THINK -- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
THINK -- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO EFFORTS?
BETWEEN THE TWO EFFORTS? >> WELL, I SERVED ON ILLINOIS
>> WELL, I SERVED ON ILLINOIS REFORM COMMISSION WHERE THE
REFORM COMMISSION WHERE THE REDISTRICTING REFORM FIRST
REDISTRICTING REFORM FIRST SURFACED.
SURFACED. THERE ARE TWO WAYS YOU CAN
THERE ARE TWO WAYS YOU CAN CHANGE IT IN ILLINOIS. ONE IS
CHANGE IT IN ILLINOIS. ONE IS THROUGH A LEGISLATURE SIVE
THROUGH A LEGISLATURE SIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND ONE
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND ONE IS THROUGH A CITIZEN LED
IS THROUGH A CITIZEN LED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. THE REFORM COMMISSION, IN GOOD
THE REFORM COMMISSION, IN GOOD FAITH, TRIED TO WORK WITH THE
FAITH, TRIED TO WORK WITH THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON
ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON GETTING THIS CHANGED, AND IT
GETTING THIS CHANGED, AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
DIDN'T HAPPEN. THE LAST TIME AROUND, FAIR MAP
THE LAST TIME AROUND, FAIR MAP ONLY HAD FIVE MONTHS TO GATHER
ONLY HAD FIVE MONTHS TO GATHER ALL OF THE SIGNATURES. WE
ALL OF THE SIGNATURES. WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ORGANIZATION.
DIDN'T HAVE THE ORGANIZATION. WE DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.
WE DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES. YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS IS A
YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EFFORT.
COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EFFORT. WE HAVE A GREAT STATE-WIDE
WE HAVE A GREAT STATE-WIDE CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION, PAID
CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION, PAID STAFF.
STAFF. WE HAVE AN OUTSIDE FIRM THAT WE
WE HAVE AN OUTSIDE FIRM THAT WE HAVE HIRED THAT HAS DONE BALLOT
HAVE HIRED THAT HAS DONE BALLOT INITIATIVES IN CALIFORNIA AND
INITIATIVES IN CALIFORNIA AND OREGON. WE HAVE 20 REGIONAL
OREGON. WE HAVE 20 REGIONAL TEAMS SET UP. WE ARE RAISING
TEAMS SET UP. WE ARE RAISING MONEY, AND WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT
MONEY, AND WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT MORE TIME TO GET THIS
MORE TIME TO GET THIS ACCOMPLISHED.
ACCOMPLISHED. >>REGARDLESS OF THE PROCESS, THE
>>REGARDLESS OF THE PROCESS, THE BOTTOM LINE IS TO MAKE
BOTTOM LINE IS TO MAKE LEGISLATORS MORE RESPONSIVE TO
LEGISLATORS MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE ELECTORATE.
THE ELECTORATE. WHAT -- I HATE TO USE THE WORD
WHAT -- I HATE TO USE THE WORD GUARANTEE, WHAT FAITH DO YOU
GUARANTEE, WHAT FAITH DO YOU HAVE THAT WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN,
HAVE THAT WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN, THAT IF IT PASSES 2020, NEW SET
THAT IF IT PASSES 2020, NEW SET OF MAP DRAWING STANDARDS, AND
OF MAP DRAWING STANDARDS, AND WILL WE HAVE A MORE RESPONSIVE
WILL WE HAVE A MORE RESPONSIVE LEGISLATURE?
LEGISLATURE? >> I THINK WE WILL HAVE
>> I THINK WE WILL HAVE ABSOLUTELY MORE RESPONSIVE
ABSOLUTELY MORE RESPONSIVE LEGISLATURE.
LEGISLATURE. WE JUST HAVE TO LOOK AT THE
WE JUST HAVE TO LOOK AT THE EXAMPLE OF CALIFORNIA.
EXAMPLE OF CALIFORNIA. I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT THE
I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT THE BALLOT MEASURE, CHANGE ILLINOIS
BALLOT MEASURE, CHANGE ILLINOIS WORKED ON, IS VERY MUCH MIRROR
WORKED ON, IS VERY MUCH MIRROR AFTER THE CALIFORNIA.
AFTER THE CALIFORNIA. TONE CHANGE FROM 2008 TO 2012
TONE CHANGE FROM 2008 TO 2012 WHERE THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT
WHERE THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT WAS NO LONGER SHUTTING DOWN,
WAS NO LONGER SHUTTING DOWN, WHERE THE LEGISLATURE IN
WHERE THE LEGISLATURE IN SACRAMENTO WAS WORKING TOGETHER
SACRAMENTO WAS WORKING TOGETHER IN MORE BIPARTISAN FORMAT WHERE
IN MORE BIPARTISAN FORMAT WHERE THEY WERE ACTUALLY GETTING BILLS
THEY WERE ACTUALLY GETTING BILLS PASSED.
PASSED. THIS COALITION WILL NEVER TAKE A
THIS COALITION WILL NEVER TAKE A POLICY POSITION ON ANY ISSUE, WE
POLICY POSITION ON ANY ISSUE, WE DO SAY A LEGISLATURE THAT WORKS
DO SAY A LEGISLATURE THAT WORKS TOGETHER AND IS MAKING PROGRESS
TOGETHER AND IS MAKING PROGRESS OR MOVING BILLS OR GETTING
OR MOVING BILLS OR GETTING THINGS DONE IS SOMETHING THAT WE
THINGS DONE IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN PROBABLY ALL AGREE IS A GOOD
CAN PROBABLY ALL AGREE IS A GOOD THING.
THING. >>MICHAEL KOLENC, CAMPAIGN
>>MICHAEL KOLENC, CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR YES FOR INDEPENDENT
MANAGER FOR YES FOR INDEPENDENT MAPS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US
MAPS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "AT ISSUE."
ON "AT ISSUE." >>THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>>THANKS FOR HAVING ME. >>BRAD MC MILLAN, ALWAYS GOD
>>BRAD MC MILLAN, ALWAYS GOD GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON AT ISSUE.
GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON AT ISSUE. BRAD IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BRAD IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TORE BRADLEY INSTITUTE FOR
TORE BRADLEY INSTITUTE FOR PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP.
PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP. WITH THAT, WE HAVE TWO
WITH THAT, WE HAVE TWO PROGRAMMING NOTES TO PASS ALONG
PROGRAMMING NOTES TO PASS ALONG TO YOU.
TO YOU. NEXT WEEK, THERE WILL BE NO "AT
NEXT WEEK, THERE WILL BE NO "AT ISSUE."
ISSUE." HOWEVER, YOU WILL SEE A
HOWEVER, YOU WILL SEE A GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE.
GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE. AS I SPEAK, WE WILL HAVE THREE
AS I SPEAK, WE WILL HAVE THREE OF THE FOUR CANDIDATES.
OF THE FOUR CANDIDATES. BRUCE RAUNER HAS NOD AGREED TO
BRUCE RAUNER HAS NOD AGREED TO APPEAR TON THAT DEBATE.
APPEAR TON THAT DEBATE. WE ARE STILL ASKING HIM TO
WE ARE STILL ASKING HIM TO PARTICIPATE.
PARTICIPATE. BUT THE OTHER THREE CANDIDATES
BUT THE OTHER THREE CANDIDATES WILL HERE BE IN THE WTVP
WILL HERE BE IN THE WTVP STUDIOS.
STUDIOS. THIS IS BROADCAST STATE-WIDE ON
THIS IS BROADCAST STATE-WIDE ON NPR ON PBS STATIONS FROM 7 TO 9
NPR ON PBS STATIONS FROM 7 TO 9 P.M. NEXT THURSDAY, 23RD OF
P.M. NEXT THURSDAY, 23RD OF JANUARY.
JANUARY. FOLLOWING THAT, JANUARY 30, TWO
FOLLOWING THAT, JANUARY 30, TWO WEEKS FROM NOW, WE WILL HAVE
WEEKS FROM NOW, WE WILL HAVE CONGRESS WOMAN CHERRY BU TOES
CONGRESS WOMAN CHERRY BU TOES REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT
REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT REPRESENTING PART OF PEORIA,
REPRESENTING PART OF PEORIA, ROCKFORD, AND THE QUAD CITIES
ROCKFORD, AND THE QUAD CITIES AREA.
AREA. JOIN CHERI BUSTOS AND ME FOR "AT
JOIN CHERI BUSTOS AND ME FOR "AT ISSUE."
ISSUE." WE WILL SEE YOU ON THE DEBATE
WE WILL SEE YOU ON THE DEBATE THAT I MODERATE NEXT WEEK.
THAT I MODERATE NEXT WEEK. >>THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON
>>THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "AT ISSUE." >>