DEERFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) is renewing her push for redistricting reform in Illinois after suffering a setback last week from the U.S. Supreme Court.

“The recent ruling by the Supreme Court shows the important role states play in ensuring our redistricting process is fair, transparent and free from political influence,” Morrison said. “I remain determined to ensure that Illinois will reform the way legislative districts are drawn.”

In its ruling, the Supreme Court found that claims of partisan influence in the drawing of legislative districts is a political issue that the courts cannot resolve. The ruling left open the ability for states to establish their own system of drawing district boundaries.

Morrison is the sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4, which would establish a 16-member commission that would be in charge of redistricting Congressional districts as well as State House and Senate districts in Illinois. Under Morrison’s proposal, commission members would be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court and the most senior Justice not of the same party as the Chief Justice.

Morrison's proposed Constitutional Amendment - if passed by the General Assembly - would then go before voters, who would need to approve the measure at the ballot box in order to amend the Constitution.

“In the months ahead, I will continue working with my colleagues on developing a solution that I hope will end up being a template for states across the nation on how to end gerrymandering,” Morrison said.