AARP backs changes to Illinois redistricting process

AARP Illinois is the latest organization to back a proposal that would change the way Illinois' House and Senate districts are drawn.

The organization, which represents 1.7 million members age 50 and older, announced its support Wednesday.

Merri Dee is the AARP state president. Dee says the once-a-decade process known as redistricting "must be transparent, independent and non-partisan."

A coalition known as Yes for Independent Maps is driving the effort to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to change the redistricting process.

Currently, new maps must get the OK from the House, Senate and the governor. Because Democrats control all three, the current maps are Democrat-friendly.

The Yes for Independent Maps campaign would create a commission made up of Democrats, Republicans and Independents to draw the maps.