Smaller districts may be the answer

Your Dec. 11 editorial was right on (“A formula to end Illinois’ corruption”). What you didn’t say is how we get more democracy. The problem in Illinois is the size of the legislative districts. They are so large, it takes too much money to run and win a campaign. That puts the power in the funders and those who control the funding.

The answer? Reduce the size of districts to tiny numbers — 3,000 to 5,000 people — so campaigns are basically door-to-door and town hall meetings. Would that mean the number of legislators would increase? Yes. So go to a decentralized system, much like I am proposing in California. Subdivide each large district (which now numbers about 200,000 people) into about 50 tiny districts of 4,000 people called “neighborhood districts.” After the election, the 50 neighborhood representatives meet and send one of their number to Springfield. Thus, you still have 59 representatives — but instead of being elected in large districts, they first must be elected in a tiny district where they know their constituents and vice versa, and then elected by the other 49 neighborhood representatives in that district. The same system would work for the state Senate.

This is more democratic and takes the need for money out of legislative races.

John H. Cox

Chicago and Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

Former president

Cook County Republican Party