Principles and Goals

The CHANGE Illinois! Steering Committee has adopted the following principles:

1. An accurate and complete count in Census 2010 is an essential building block for all redistricting efforts.
2. The process used for redistricting must be transparent to the public.
3. The redistricting process, at all levels of government, must provide data, tools and opportunities for the public to have direct input into the specific plans under consideration by the redistricting body.
4. In order to achieve representative democracy, redistricting plans must be drawn in a manner that allows elected bodies to reflect the diversity of the populace, especially racial and ethnic diversity.
5. The redistricting process must be structured to promote fair, competitive and representative districts.

Reform initiative goal:

Reform Illinois' redistricting process to advance the common good, ensure that voter voices are amplified, promote diversity, expand opportunities for representation and create a transparent and fair system for map making.

Objectives:

1. Increase public knowledge of and support for the importance of redistricting in restoring open and honest government in Illinois
2. Seek legislative and/or constitutional reform to create a redistricting process for the State Legislature that meets CHANGE principles
3. Create transparency in map making for both Congressional and state districts by urging that under any system (including the existing system) proposed maps be made public with plenty of time for public comment and participation 

For a list of CHANGE Illinois! members who have signed on to these principles and goals, please see entries in green found on members page here.