HB2625sam002 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Dale A. Righter

Filed: 5/22/2019

10100HB2625sam002 LRB101 08501 LNS 61014 a

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 2625

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 2625 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The Circuit Courts Act is amended by changing Sections 2f, 2f-2, 2f-4, 2f-5, 2f-6, and 2f-9, and by adding Sections 2f-12 and 29 as follows:

(705 ILCS 35/2f) (from Ch. 37, par. 72.2f)

Sec. 2f. (a) The Circuit of Cook County shall be divided into 15 units to be known as subcircuits. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. The General Assembly shall create the subcircuits by law on or before July 1, 1991, using population data as determined by the 1990 Federal census.

(a-5) In 2021, the Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the boundaries of the subcircuits to reflect the results of the 2020 federal decennial census. The Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the subcircuit boundaries after every federal decennial census. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. In accordance with subsection (d), a resident judgeship assigned to a subcircuit shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit. Any vacancy in a resident judgeship existing on or occurring after the effective date of a law redrawing the boundaries of the subcircuits shall be filled by a resident of the redrawn subcircuit.

(b) The 165 resident judges to be elected from the Circuit of Cook County shall be determined under paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of Section 2 of the Judicial Vacancies Act.

(c) The Supreme Court shall allot (i) the additional resident judgeships provided by paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of Section 2 of the Judicial Vacancies Act and (ii) all vacancies in resident judgeships existing on or occurring on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1990, with respect to the other resident judgeships of the Circuit of Cook County, for election from the various subcircuits until there are 11 resident judges to be elected from each of the 15 subcircuits (for a total of 165). A resident judgeship authorized before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1990 that became vacant and was filled by appointment by the Supreme Court before that effective date shall be filled by election at the general election in November of 1992 from the unit of the Circuit of Cook County within Chicago or the unit of that Circuit outside Chicago, as the case may be, in which the vacancy occurred.

(d) As soon as practicable after the subcircuits are created by law, the Supreme Court shall determine by lot a numerical order for the 15 subcircuits. That numerical order shall be the basis for the order in which resident judgeships are assigned to the subcircuits. After the first round of assignments, the second and all later rounds shall be based on the same numerical order. Once a resident judgeship is assigned to a subcircuit, it shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit for all purposes.

(e) A resident judge elected from a subcircuit shall continue to reside in that subcircuit as long as he or she holds that office. A resident judge elected from a subcircuit after January 1, 2008, must retain residency as a registered voter in the subcircuit to run for retention from the circuit at large thereafter.

(Source: P.A. 95-610, eff. 9-11-07.)

(705 ILCS 35/2f-2)

Sec. 2f-2. 19th judicial circuit; subcircuits; additional judges.

(a) The 19th circuit shall be divided into 6 subcircuits. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. The General Assembly by law shall create the subcircuits, using population data as determined by the 2000 federal census, and shall determine a numerical order for the 6 subcircuits. That numerical order shall be the basis for the order in which resident judgeships are assigned to the subcircuits. The 6 resident judgeships to be assigned that are not added by or converted from at large judgeships as provided in this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall be assigned to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th subcircuits, in that order. The 6 resident judgeships to be assigned that are added by or converted from at large judgeships as provided in this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall be assigned to the 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st subcircuits, in that order. Once a resident judgeship is assigned to a subcircuit, it shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit for all purposes.

(a-3) In 2021, the Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the boundaries of the subcircuits to reflect the results of the 2020 federal decennial census. The Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the subcircuit boundaries after every federal decennial census. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. In accordance with subsection (a), a resident judgeship assigned to a subcircuit shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit. Any vacancy in a resident judgeship existing on or occurring after the effective date of a law redrawing the boundaries of the subcircuits shall be filled by a resident of the redrawn subcircuit.

(a-5) Of the at large judgeships of the 19th judicial circuit, the first 3 that are or become vacant on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall become resident judgeships of the 19th judicial circuit to be allotted by the Supreme Court under subsection (c) and filled by election, except that the Supreme Court may fill those judgeships by appointment for any remainder of a vacated term until the resident judgeships are filled initially by election. As used in this subsection, a vacancy does not include the expiration of a term of an at large judge who seeks retention in that office at the next term.

(a-10) The 19th judicial circuit shall have 3 additional resident judgeships to be allotted by the Supreme Court under subsection (c). One of the additional resident judgeships shall be filled by election beginning at the 2010 general election. Two of the additional resident judgeships shall be filled by election beginning at the 2012 general election.

(b) The 19th circuit shall have a total of 12 resident judgeships (6 resident judgeships existing on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, 3 formerly at large judgeships as provided in subsection (a-5), and 3 resident judgeships added by subsection (a-10)). The number of resident judgeships allotted to subcircuits of the 19th judicial circuit pursuant to this Section shall constitute all the resident judgeships of the 19th judicial circuit.

(c) The Supreme Court shall allot (i) all vacancies in resident judgeships of the 19th circuit existing on or occurring on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly and not filled at the 2004 general election, (ii) the resident judgeships of the 19th circuit filled at the 2004 general election as those judgeships thereafter become vacant, (iii) the 3 formerly at large judgeships described in subsection (a-5) as they become available, and (iv) the 3 resident judgeships added by subsection (a-10), for election from the various subcircuits until there are 2 resident judges to be elected from each subcircuit. No resident judge of the 19th circuit serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall be required to change his or her residency in order to continue serving in office or to seek retention in office as resident judgeships are allotted by the Supreme Court in accordance with this Section.

(d) A resident judge elected from a subcircuit shall continue to reside in that subcircuit as long as he or she holds that office. A resident judge elected from a subcircuit after January 1, 2008, must retain residency as a registered voter in the subcircuit to run for retention from the circuit at large thereafter.

(e) Vacancies in resident judgeships of the 19th circuit shall be filled in the manner provided in Article VI of the Illinois Constitution.

(Source: P.A. 95-610, eff. 9-11-07; 96-108, eff. 7-30-09.)

(705 ILCS 35/2f-4)

Sec. 2f-4. 12th circuit; subcircuits; additional judges.

(a) The 12th circuit shall be divided into 5 subcircuits. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. The General Assembly by law shall create the subcircuits, using population data as determined by the 2000 federal census, and shall determine a numerical order for the 5 subcircuits. That numerical order shall be the basis for the order in which resident judgeships are assigned to the subcircuits. The 5 resident judgeships to be assigned after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall be assigned to the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 1st, and 2nd subcircuits, in that order. Once a resident judgeship is assigned to a subcircuit, it shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit for all purposes.

(a-5) In 2021, the Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the boundaries of the subcircuits to reflect the results of the 2020 federal decennial census. The Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the subcircuit boundaries after every federal decennial census. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. In accordance with subsection (a), a resident judgeship assigned to a subcircuit shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit. Any vacancy in a resident judgeship existing on or occurring after the effective date of a law redrawing the boundaries of the subcircuits shall be filled by a resident of the redrawn subcircuit.

(a-10) The first vacancy in the 12th judicial circuit's 10 existing circuit judgeships (8 at large and 2 resident), but not in the additional judgeships described in subsections (b) and (b-5), that exists on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly shall not be filled, by appointment or election, and that judgeship is eliminated. Of the 12th judicial circuit's 10 existing circuit judgeships (8 at large and 2 resident), but not the additional judgeships described in subsections (b) and (b-5), the second to be vacant or become vacant on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly shall be allotted as a 12th circuit resident judgeship under subsection (c).

(a-15) Of the at large judgeships of the 12th judicial circuit not affected by subsection (a-10), the first 2 that are or become vacant on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall become resident judgeships of the 12th judicial circuit to be allotted by the Supreme Court under subsection (c) and filled by election, except that the Supreme Court may fill those judgeships by appointment for any remainder of a vacated term until the resident judgeships are filled initially by election.

(a-20) As used in subsections (a-10) and (a-15), a vacancy does not include the expiration of a term of an at large or resident judge who seeks retention in that office at the next term.

(b) The 12th circuit shall have 6 additional resident judgeships, as well as its existing resident judgeship as established in subsection (a-10), and existing at large judgeships, for a total of 15 judgeships available to be allotted under subsection (c) to the 10 subcircuit resident judgeships. The additional resident judgeship created by Public Act 93-541 shall be filled by election beginning at the general election in 2006. The 2 additional resident judgeships created by this amendatory Act of 2004 shall be filled by election beginning at the general election in 2008. The additional resident judgeships created by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall be filled by election beginning at the general election in 2010. After the subcircuits are created by law, the Supreme Court may fill by appointment the additional resident judgeships created by Public Act 93-541, this amendatory Act of 2004, and this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly until the 2006, 2008, or 2010 general election, as the case may be.

(b-5) In addition to the number of circuit judges and resident judges otherwise authorized by law, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning on April 1, 2006 there shall be one additional resident judge who is a resident of and elected from the fourth judicial subcircuit of the 12th judicial circuit. That additional resident judgeship may be filled by appointment by the Supreme Court until filled by election at the general election in 2008, regardless of whether the judgeships for subcircuits 1, 2, and 3 have been filled.

(c) The Supreme Court shall allot (i) the additional resident judgeships of the 12th circuit created by Public Act 93-541, this amendatory Act of 2004, and this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, (ii) the second vacancy in the at large and resident judgeships of the 12th circuit as provided in subsection (a-10), and (iii) the 2 formerly at large judgeships described in subsection (a-15) as they become available, for election from the various subcircuits until, with the additional judge of the fourth subcircuit described in subsection (b-5), there are 2 resident judges to be elected from each subcircuit. No at large or resident judge of the 12th circuit serving on August 18, 2003 shall be required to change his or her residency in order to continue serving in office or to seek retention in office as at large or resident judgeships are allotted by the Supreme Court in accordance with this Section.

(d) A resident judge elected from a subcircuit shall continue to reside in that subcircuit as long as he or she holds that office. A resident judge elected from a subcircuit after January 1, 2008, must retain residency as a registered voter in the subcircuit to run for retention from the circuit at large thereafter.

(e) Vacancies in resident judgeships of the 12th circuit shall be filled in the manner provided in Article VI of the Illinois Constitution, except as otherwise provided in this Section.

(Source: P.A. 95-610, eff. 9-11-07; 96-108, eff. 7-30-09.)

(705 ILCS 35/2f-5)

Sec. 2f-5. 22nd circuit; subcircuits; additional resident judgeship.

(a) The 22nd circuit shall be divided into 4 subcircuits. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. The General Assembly by law shall create the subcircuits, using population data as determined by the 2000 federal census, and shall determine a numerical order for the 4 subcircuits. That numerical order shall be the basis for the order in which resident judgeships are assigned to the subcircuits. Once a resident judgeship is assigned to a subcircuit, it shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit for all purposes.

(a-5) In 2021, the Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the boundaries of the subcircuits to reflect the results of the 2020 federal decennial census. The Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the subcircuit boundaries after every federal decennial census. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. In accordance with subsection (a), a resident judgeship assigned to a subcircuit shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit. Any vacancy in a resident judgeship existing on or occurring after the effective date of a law redrawing the boundaries of the subcircuits shall be filled by a resident of the redrawn subcircuit.

(b) Other than the resident judgeship added by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the 22nd circuit shall have one additional resident judgeship, as well as its 3 existing resident judgeships, for a total of 4 resident judgeships to be allotted to the 4 subcircuit resident judgeships. The additional resident judgeship created by this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall be filled by election beginning at the general election in 2006 and shall not be filled by appointment before the general election in 2006. The number of resident judgeships allotted to subcircuits of the 22nd judicial circuit pursuant to this Section, and the resident judgeship added by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, shall constitute all the resident judgeships of the 22nd judicial circuit.

(c) The Supreme Court shall allot (i) all eligible vacancies in resident judgeships of the 22nd circuit existing on or occurring on or after August 18, 2003 and not filled at the 2004 general election, (ii) the resident judgeships of the 22nd circuit filled at the 2004 general election as those judgeships thereafter become vacant, and (iii) the additional resident judgeship of the 22nd circuit created by this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, for election from the various subcircuits until there is one resident judge to be elected from each subcircuit. No resident judge of the 22nd circuit serving on August 18, 2003 shall be required to change his or her residency in order to continue serving in office or to seek retention in office as resident judgeships are allotted by the Supreme Court in accordance with this Section.

(d) A resident judge elected from a subcircuit shall continue to reside in that subcircuit as long as he or she holds that office. A resident judge elected from a subcircuit after January 1, 2008, must retain residency as a registered voter in the subcircuit to run for retention from the circuit at large thereafter.

(e) Vacancies in resident judgeships of the 22nd circuit shall be filled in the manner provided in Article VI of the Illinois Constitution.

(Source: P.A. 95-610, eff. 9-11-07; 96-108, eff. 7-30-09.)

(705 ILCS 35/2f-6)

Sec. 2f-6. 17th judicial circuit; subcircuits.

(a) The 17th circuit shall be divided into 4 subcircuits. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. The General Assembly by law shall create the subcircuits, using population data as determined by the 2000 federal census, and shall determine a numerical order for the 4 subcircuits. That numerical order shall be the basis for the order in which resident judgeships are assigned to the subcircuits. Once a resident judgeship is assigned to a subcircuit, it shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit for all purposes.

(a-5) In 2021, the Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the boundaries of the subcircuits to reflect the results of the 2020 federal decennial census. The Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the subcircuit boundaries after every federal decennial census. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. In accordance with subsection (a), a resident judgeship assigned to a subcircuit shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit. Any vacancy in a resident judgeship existing on or occurring after the effective date of a law redrawing the boundaries of the subcircuits shall be filled by a resident of the redrawn subcircuit.

(a-10) Of the 17th circuit's 9 circuit judgeships existing on April 7, 2005 (6 at large and 3 resident), but not including the one resident judgeship added by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, the 3 resident judgeships shall be allotted as 17th circuit resident judgeships under subsection (c) as those resident judgeships are or become vacant on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly. Of the 17th circuit's associate judgeships, the first associate judgeship that is or becomes vacant on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall become a resident judgeship of the 17th circuit to be allotted by the Supreme Court under subsection (c) as a resident subcircuit judgeship. These resident judgeships, and the one resident judgeship added by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, shall constitute all of the resident judgeships of the 17th circuit. As used in this subsection, a vacancy does not include the expiration of a term of a resident judge who seeks retention in that office at the next term. A vacancy does not exist or occur at the expiration of an associate judge's term if the associate judge is reappointed.

(b) The 17th circuit shall have a total of 4 judgeships (3 resident judgeships existing on April 7, 2005 and one associate judgeship), but not including the one resident judgeship added by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, available to be allotted to the 4 subcircuit resident judgeships.

(c) The Supreme Court shall allot (i) the 3 resident judgeships of the 17th circuit existing on April 7, 2005 as they are or become vacant as provided in subsection (a-10) and (ii) the one associate judgeship converted into a resident judgeship of the 17th circuit as it is or becomes vacant as provided in subsection (a-10), for election from the various subcircuits until there is one resident judge to be elected from each subcircuit. No resident or associate judge of the 17th circuit serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall be required to change his or her residency in order to continue serving in office or to seek retention or reappointment in office as resident judgeships are allotted by the Supreme Court in accordance with this Section.

(d) A resident judge elected from a subcircuit shall continue to reside in that subcircuit as long as he or she holds that office. A resident judge elected from a subcircuit after January 1, 2008, must retain residency as a registered voter in the subcircuit to run for retention from the circuit at large thereafter.

(e) Vacancies in resident judgeships of the 17th circuit shall be filled in the manner provided in Article VI of the Illinois Constitution.

(Source: P.A. 95-610, eff. 9-11-07; 96-108, eff. 7-30-09.)

(705 ILCS 35/2f-9)

Sec. 2f-9. 16th judicial circuit; subcircuits.

(a) The 16th circuit shall be divided into 4 subcircuits. Subcircuits 1, 2, and 4 of the 16th circuit in existence on April 15, 2011 shall continue to use their established boundaries in the new 16th circuit as of December 3, 2012. Subcircuit 3 in existence on April 15, 2011 shall continue to use its established boundary until December 3, 2012. For a judge elected to subcircuit 3 as of April 15, 2011, the current boundaries in existence as of April 15, 2011 shall continue until the conclusion of the existing term of office, following the 2012 general election, and upon the conclusion of the existing term of office, the new boundary shall go into effect. The new boundary for subcircuit 3 shall contain and be made up of the following townships in the County of Kane, excluding the portions of the townships currently served by subcircuit 1, 2, or 4: Aurora, Blackberry, Big Rock, Burlington, Campton, Dundee, Elgin, Hampshire, Kaneville, Plato, Rutland, Sugar Grove, and Virgil. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. The General Assembly by law shall create the subcircuits, using population data as determined by the 2000 federal census, and shall determine a numerical order for the 4 subcircuits. That numerical order shall be the basis for the order in which resident judgeships are assigned to the subcircuits. Once a resident judgeship is assigned to a subcircuit, it shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit for all purposes.

(a-5) In 2021, the Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the boundaries of the subcircuits to reflect the results of the 2020 federal decennial census. The Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the subcircuit boundaries after every federal decennial census. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. In accordance with subsection (a), a resident judgeship assigned to a subcircuit shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit. Any vacancy in a resident judgeship existing on or occurring after the effective date of a law redrawing the boundaries of the subcircuits shall be filled by a resident of the redrawn subcircuit.

(b) (Blank).

(c) No resident judge of the 16th circuit serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall be required to change his or her residency in order to continue serving in office or to seek retention in office as judgeships are allotted by the Supreme Court in accordance with this Section. No resident judge elected from a subcircuit serving on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly shall be required to change his or her residency in order to continue serving in or to seek retention in office until the 2012 general election, or until the conclusion of the existing term.

(d) A resident judge elected from a subcircuit shall continue to reside in that subcircuit as long as he or she holds that office. A resident judge elected from a subcircuit after January 1, 2008, must retain residency as a registered voter in the subcircuit to run for retention from the circuit at large thereafter. A resident judge elected from a subcircuit after January 1, 2011, must retain residency as a registered voter in the subcircuit to run for retention from the circuit at large thereafter.

(e) Vacancies in resident judgeships of the 16th circuit shall be filled in the manner provided in Article VI of the Illinois Constitution.

(Source: P.A. 96-108, eff. 7-30-09; 97-585, eff. 8-26-11.)

(705 ILCS 35/2f-12 new)

Sec. 2f-12. 18th circuit; subcircuits.

(a) The 18th circuit shall be divided into 5 subcircuits on January 1, 2022. The subcircuits shall be compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population. The Independent Redistricting Commission shall create the subcircuits, using population data as determined by the 2020 federal census, and shall determine a numerical order for the 5 subcircuits. That numerical order shall be the basis for the order in which resident judgeships are assigned to the subcircuits. Once a resident judgeship is assigned to a subcircuit, it shall continue to be assigned to that subcircuit for all purposes. The Independent Redistricting Commission shall redraw the subcircuit boundaries after every federal decennial census.

(b) The 18th circuit shall have 15 resident judgeships to be allotted to the 5 subcircuit resident judgeships.

(c) The Supreme Court shall allot the resident judgeships of the 18th circuit for election from the various subcircuits until there are 3 resident judges to be elected from each subcircuit. No resident judge of the 18th circuit serving on January 1, 2022 shall be required to change his or her residency in order to continue serving in office or to seek retention in office as resident judgeships are allotted by the Supreme Court in accordance with this Section.

(d) A resident judge elected from a subcircuit shall continue to reside in that subcircuit as long as he or she holds that office. A resident judge elected from a subcircuit after January 1, 2022 must retain residency as a registered voter in the subcircuit to run for retention from the circuit at large thereafter.

(e) Vacancies in resident judgeships of the 18th circuit shall be filled in the manner provided in Article VI of the Illinois Constitution.

(705 ILCS 35/29 new)

Sec. 29. Independent Redistricting Commission.

(a) The Independent Redistricting Commission is hereby created.

(b) Each judicial subcircuit shall, in the following order of priority:

(1) fully comply with the United States Constitution and federal laws, such as the federal Voting Rights Act;

(2) be substantially equal in population;

(3) provide racial minorities and language minorities with the equal opportunity to participate in the political process and elect candidates of their choice;

(4) provide racial minorities and language minorities who constitute less than a voting-age majority of a judicial subcircuit with an opportunity to substantially influence the outcome of an election;

(5) be contiguous;

(6) be compact;

(7) respect, to the extent practical, the geographic integrity of units of local government;

(8) respect, to the extent practical, communities sharing common social or economic interests; and

(9) not discriminate against or in favor of any political party or individual.

(c) No later than December 30 of the year that each federal decennial census occurs, the Chief Justice and the most senior Supreme Court Justice who is not elected from the same political party as the Chief Justice shall select 16 commissioners to form the Commission. The commissioners shall reflect the ethnic, gender, and racial demographics of this State, 14 of the commissioners shall represent, in equal number, the 2 political parties whose gubernatorial candidates received the greatest number of votes in the last gubernatorial election and 2 of the commissioners shall represent neither of those parties. The 2 Justices responsible for selecting the 16 commissioners shall consider party identification and all campaign contributions in determining a potential commissioner's eligibility. There shall be at least 2 commissioners from each Judicial District.

(d) A person is ineligible to serve on the Commission if within the previous 4 calendar years the person or his or her spouse or immediate family member was appointed or elected to a position with the State, federal, or local government; is a State employee; is a lobbyist as defined by law; has an ownership interest in an entity with a State or federal contract; or is appointed or elected to serve a political party. A commissioner is ineligible for a period of 10 years to serve in the General Assembly or to be appointed to a position subject to Senate confirmation. A commissioner shall file a financial disclosure statement and abide by any ethics requirements established by law.

(e) The Commission shall act in public meetings by the affirmative vote of 10 commissioners. The Commission shall elect its chairperson and vice chairperson, who shall not be affiliated with the same political party. Each meeting of the Commission shall be open to the public and there shall be public notice at least 7 days before a meeting. All records of the Commission, including all communications to or from the Commission regarding the work of the Commission, shall be available for public inspection. The Commission shall adopt rules governing its procedures. The Commission shall be considered a public body subject to the Freedom of Information Act or a successor Act and the Open Meetings Act or a successor Act. Commissioners and staff may not communicate with or receive communications about redistricting matters from anyone outside of a public hearing.

(f) The Commission shall hold at least 20 public hearings throughout the State before adopting a redistricting plan, with a majority occurring before the Commission releases any proposed redistricting plan and at least 10 public hearings shall occur throughout the State after the release of any proposed redistricting plan.

The Commission shall provide a meaningful opportunity for racial minorities and language minorities to participate in the public hearings, including, but not limited to, issuing notices in multiple languages and ensuring that translation services are available at all hearings at the Commission's expense or through partnership with outside organizations. These public hearings shall be open to all members of the public and shall be planned to encourage attendance and participation across the State, including the use of technology that allows for real-time, virtual participation and feedback during the hearings. When releasing a proposed redistricting plan, the Commission shall also release population data, geographic data, election data, and any other data used to create the plan, when the Commission receives this information. The Commission shall also provide terminals for members of the public to access the data and associated software. During the map drawing process, any member of the public may submit maps for consideration to the Commission. Those submissions are public records that are open to comment.

The Commission may not adopt a redistricting plan until the Commission adopts and publishes a report explaining the plan's compliance with the United States Constitution and Illinois Constitution. Before the adoption of a redistricting plan, the Commission shall release to the public the final plan and its associated compliance report. The meeting to vote on adoption of a redistricting plan shall occur no sooner than 30 days after the release of the final plan and its associated compliance report. All proposed and adopted maps and any data used to develop these maps are public records. The Commission shall maintain a website or other similar electronic platform to disseminate information about the Commission, including records of its meetings and hearings, proposed redistricting plans, assessments and reports on plans, and to allow the public to view its meetings and hearings in both live and archived form. The website or electronic platform shall allow the public to submit redistricting plans and comments on redistricting plans to the Commission for its consideration.

(g) The Commission shall adopt and file with the Secretary of State a redistricting plan for the judicial subcircuits by August 1 of the year following the federal decennial census. The Commission may adopt separate redistricting plans for the judicial subcircuits.

(h) If the Commission fails to adopt and file a redistricting plan by August 1 of the year following a federal decennial census, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the most senior Supreme Court Justice who is not elected from the same political party as the Chief Justice shall appoint, by August 8, a 17th member to the Commission. The 17th member of the Commission shall not be affiliated with either major political party. The 17-member Commission shall adopt and file with the Secretary of State redistricting plans for the judicial subcircuits by September 1 of the year following the federal decennial census.

(i) Members of the Commission are eligible for reimbursement of personal expenses incurred in connection with the duties performed pursuant to this act. A member's residence is deemed to be the member's post of duty for purposes of reimbursement of expenses.

(j) A redistricting plan filed with the Secretary of State shall be presumed valid and shall be published promptly by the Secretary of State.

(k) The Supreme Court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over actions concerning the redistricting of the judicial subcircuits, which shall be initiated in the name of the People of the State by the Attorney General. Each person who resides or is domiciled in the State, or whose executive office or principal place of business is located in the State, may bring an action in court of competent jurisdiction to obtain any of the relief available.".