Fighting gerrymandering is a state responsibility

A letter from Ed Plum published on Feb. 29 suggested that gerrymandering is a national problem and needs to resolved at the national level. Several states have this problem; the party in control often will redraw congressional districts in such a way to influence future elections to their benefit. Right or wrong, the drawing of these districts is the jurisdiction of individual states and a national law would infringe on states' rights.

In our state, the drawing of these districts is controlled by the Democratic Party. Reviewing the map of Illinois congressional districts, it appears there is no attempt to hide that they will go to any lengths to preserve power. If you have any doubts, just look at the map of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 11th districts. Can there be any reason other than gerrymandering for the irregular boundaries of these congressional districts?

There are others that are irregular, but these are the most flagrant boundaries.

With the May 3 deadline to change the policy in Illinois now just a few weeks away, I contacted both my state Rep. Jonathan Carrol and state Sen. Julie Morrison, both Democrats, to urge them address the Fair Maps initiative. I did not even receive the courtesy of a form letter response back from these reps.

I urge you to contact your representatives. There may still be time to get some movement on this initiative. If this is not addressed now, we will have to endure another 10 years of this abuse.

Bob Gleason

Wheeling