Lake County Gazette

 In the mind of Republican state Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) the ongoing battle over map redistricting proves just how Springfield continues to be headed in the wrong direction.

“Last night another map was dropped by Democrats after a day of very difficult periods where many let them know that the process has not been transparent and they’re frustrated as Illinois residents,” Wilcox said in a video posted to YouTube. “In a week where not a lot has gone on, everything has been going on.”

Wilcox  and his Republican colleagues believe everything Democrats have done since the once-every-decade task of redrawing the maps commenced has been done with the thought of keeping their party in power.

“Last night, we got legislation for the maps and all of sudden committees were set up,” he added. “Not many people were able to attend to express their displeasure. Ethics, budgets, energy bills, all the big issues out there we’re not talking about.”

Wilcox worries that neglect could leave state residents with a heavy price to pay.

“It will be devastating to the state of Illinois if we continue to go down this path of cementing corrupt political control in the state,” he said. “Seventy-five plus percent of Illinois residents have expressed over the years a desire for truly independent and transparent map making that brings individuals and organizations together to be a voting bloc. That has not what’s happened with these maps and we’re just going to go down the road of another decade of cemented one-party rule in Illinois.”

Wilcox has also recently taken on Gov. J.B. Pritzker over his handling of the COVID-19 crisis, blasting him for not seeking input from other branches of state government in putting the state on solid footing as the pandemic has persisted.

“The governor still hasn’t released any details on how the state can move forward toward Phase 5 and some sense of normalcy,” he said.