April 2nd, 2025
For Immediate Release:
For all inquiries, please contact:
DuShaun Branch
Community Organizing Director
708-257-4037
Fair Maps dominates the ballot box in Townships across Illinois
Illinois—On Tuesday, voters in Rock Island, Addison, Palos, Homer, and Lemont townships showed overwhelming support for ending gerrymandering in Illinois. They weighed in on a non-binding referendum question that asked whether they wanted an independent redistricting commission to draw legislative and congressional maps.
In a show of unity, 70% of Rock Island voters, 69% of Addison voters, 78% of Palos voters, 75% of Homer voters, and 79% of Lemont voters voiced their support for Fair Maps. This echoes the sentiments of 81% of voters in Oak Park Township, 74% in Proviso Township, and 74% in Peoria Township, all of whom supported Fair Maps in recent elections. Collectively, these townships are home to over half a million Illinoisans.
“We are very excited that the momentum for Fair Maps is growing in Illinois and know that this is just the beginning. Year after year, voters in Illinois continue to reaffirm that we need Fair Maps that are community-based and driven by everyday folks, not by the people that stand to benefit from choosing their voters,” said DuShaun Branch, the community organizing director at CHANGE Illinois.
These elections have unequivocally demonstrated the determination of Illinoisans to reclaim power from gerrymandering, a feat achieved in other states like California and Michigan.
CHANGE Illinois will continue to work to end gerrymandering and empower residents statewide to show their unified support for Fair Maps. “We hope to have this question on more township ballots in 2026 and will continue to engage and empower communities to work with their elected officials to let them know Fair Maps are needed and we would love to have their support,” said Branch.
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CHANGE Illinois is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit that conducts research, educates and advocates for ethical, efficient government and elections.