Redistricting Process Underway SPRINGFIELD, IL (wsiu) - The hand that draws the map is the hand that rules the state legislature.

Population shifts and general frustration with the political map in Illinois are two top reasons why both Republicans and Democrats are gearing up for the redistricting process that comes up after the 2010 census, when results are released in 2011.

Despite recommendations from many good-government groups and political watchers, State Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), chairman of the Illinois Senate Redistricting Committee, says he's not jumping on the bandwagon that touts Iowa's computer-generated map-making process.

Meanwhile State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) wished the ruling Democrats had put more than five Republicans on the redistricting committee, because they're currently out-numbered eight to five (which is the Democrats-to-Republicans ratio in the Senate overall). He says the district lines right now are kooky.

The Senate Redistricting Committee, which is starting to look at how to improve the process. The committee has scheduled four public hearings around the state including one in Carbondale on September 16.
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