Despite Attempted GOP Walkout, Democrats Create Numerous Judicial Seats for Democrats
Senate President Don Harmon, who championed the new judicial redistricting plan, said creating new subcircuits in courts across the state to “reflect diversity,” but Republicans argue the new maps are a “partisan power grab.”
Democrats in the legislature overcame Republican attempts to stop action Wednesday and push through dramatic changes to the way judges around the state are elected.
The GOP staged a sort-of walk out on proceedings in both the House and Senate Wednesday, attempting to stop Democrats from attaining a quorum and advancing any legislation. Democrats were able to overcome the attempt in the House, but getting 30 members physically present in the Senate proved much more difficult for Democrats.
When session finally gaveled in late Wednesday afternoon, Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) was the only Republican present in the chamber. We’re told Democrats, who had multiple members voting remotely, called Sen. Mike Hastings (D-Frankfort) to drive to Springfield to be present for the quorum call. Hastings announced Monday he had tested positive for COVID-19, and we’re told he never actually entered the Capitol building Wednesday.
When Democrats met the quorum call, Republicans eventually trickled onto the House and Senate floor, kicking off a day capped by a major overhaul of numerous circuit court makeups around the state.
The legislation created additional subcircuits in Cook, Lake, Kane, and Will Counties.
It also creates subcircuits for the first time in numerous other circuits (which are, generally, multiple counties that make up a regional body, a circuit) or changed the makeup of existing subcircuits.
They include:
3rd Circuit (Madison and Bond)
7th Circuit (Sangamon, Morgan, Scott, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin)
17th Circuit (Winnebago, Boone)
18th Circuit (DuPage)
22nd Circuit (McHenry)
Democrats easily advanced the measure through each chamber.
Republicans, though, called the redistricting plan a partisan play to elect more Democratic judges.
“[This] is a continued power grab by the majority. You decided to remake the Supreme Court, you decided to remake the Appellate courts, and now you want to remake the circuit courts,” said Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield), the top Republican on the House Redistricting Committee. “It’s not about diversity, it’s about electing Democratic judges. I’ve seen a lot of crazy stuff over the last year when it comes to redistricting, but this is the craziest I’ve seen.”
But Senate President Don Harmon defended the expansion of subcircuits, claiming it has increased diversity on the bench since being installed in Cook County 30 years ago.
“[We want] to ensure the judiciary reflects the diversity of the counties,” said Harmon. “We’ve had subcircuits in other counties before, and that led to a conversation about subcircuits elsewhere.”
Most of the subcircuits don’t take effect until at least 2024 and other measures were included to elect more Democratic judges in Peoria and Champaign counties.
Governor JB Pritzker is expected to sign the legislation.