Lake County Gazette

Independent mapping was dealt another blow earlier this month as the Illinois Supreme Court rejected a hearing for reconsideration to add the amendment to the November ballot.

Mike Amrozowicz, Republican candidate for state senate in District 31, said that he believes that while the appeal was a long shot, the decision by the court was nonetheless discouraging.

 

“I was extremely disappointed in the Illinois Supreme Court's decision to throw the Independent Maps Amendment off the ballot in November,” Amrozowicz told the Lake County Gazette. “The motion for reconsideration was a bit of a Hail Mary to begin with, but the Court could have and should have at least provided a road map for future reformers to get a constitutional fair map amendment on the ballot.”

 

Amrozowicz said the amendment would have provided a means for voters to take control of their votes. It would have restored power back to the people instead of the politicians.

 

“Removing politics from the redistricting process is an essential part of restoring citizen control of government,” he said. “When politicians can pick voters instead of voters picking the politicians, our public officials are not accountable to anyone. Without competitive elections and fair district maps, citizens have no way to ensure they are truly represented in Springfield.”

 

While redistricting may have been delayed for now, there is still hope and other possible venues with which to pursue in the future

 

“Moving forward, we have two options,” Amrozowicz said. “Our representatives can pass an amendment through the legislature or a new citizen petition can start the next election cycle with a different plan, which will hopefully make it past the Illinois Supreme Court."

Amrozowicz promised to fight for fair districting if he were to win the senate seat. The only obstacle would be House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), the Navy veteran said.

 

“As state senator, I would work hard to make either option a reality, whether it meant sponsoring a bill or walking door to door and gathering petitions,” Amrozowicz said. “Unfortunately, Mike Madigan and the politicians he controls will continue to fight against fair maps legislatively and through the courts. In order to achieve true reform, the voters of Illinois need to stand up and say 'enough' to the defenders of the status quo. We need to vote new people into office who will stand up to leaders on both sides of the aisle and demand reform.”

 

Many have clamored for reform in light of the state’s many problems. Compared to the rest of the Midwest, Illinois has yet to recover from the Great Recession and, with the recent jobs report, has been steadily losing its workforce. Meanwhile, its neighboring state, Michigan has been a poster child for recovery. Michigan has regained its manufacturing jobs, reduced taxes, and prevented the exodus of its citizens leaving.

Amrozowicz said he looks to Michigan as a sign of hope.

“Comparing Michigan and Illinois, I actually see reason for hope,” he said. “What's happened in Michigan is proof that Illinois can come back from the disastrous financial and economic situation we are in. Illinois has a great central location, natural resources, waterways and rail for travel, and a well-educated workforce. Illinois should be a national leader.”

 

Amrozowicz said that the situation in which Illinois has found itself compared to Michigan was the result of ineffective policies.

 

“In politics, nothing happens by accident,” he said. “Our debt, job losses, and out-migration are all the result of bad policies in Springfield. What we need in Springfield are politicians who will improve the business environment in Illinois so we can attract new companies and make it easier for existing companies to create jobs.”

 

Illinois is in need of reforms to put it in a competitive footing with other states, the candidate said.

 

“We need worker's compensation reform to bring costs in line with other states,” Amrozowicz said. “We need to better prioritize our spending to get out of debt and provide businesses with a stable and predictable environment. Finally, we need comprehensive tax reform including lower property taxes to stop driving residents and companies out of state.”

 

Amrozowicz said that it is his desire to bring these reforms to the state house.

 

“These are common sense ideas,” he said. “What we are lacking are politicians with the courage to stand up to the special interests and fight for reform. I will go to Springfield with a laser-focus on solving these issues. When we get the economy growing again, we will have more good paying middle-class jobs and more revenue for essential government services.”

 

With only a month and a half before the November elections, Amrozowicz said it is a critical time for the state.

 

“Things are going very well on the campaign, but I need support now more than ever,” he said. “This is a critical election for the future of Illinois and with only a month and a half left now is the time for people to get involved and make a difference.”

 

One of the most vital groups of voters, women, has already lent its support to his campaign. On Saturday, Sept 17, dozens of women gathered in a Women for Mike Amrozowicz Coalition to discuss their reasons for supporting the candidate and why other voters should back his effort to bring real reform to Illinois. Among them were Sue Simpson, co-chair of the coalition and Warren Township Supervisor, and JoAnn Osmond, a former state representative for District 61. They praised Amrozowicz for his values, his commitment to change, and his focus to tackle the difficult issues facing the state.