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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA northwestern Indiana lawmaker wants an independent commission to draw political-district maps instead of politicians.
Sen. Mike Bohacek is a Republican from Michiana Shores. He told The Times of Northwest Indiana that public input would aid the nine-member commission creating legislative and congressional district maps in 2021 after the decennial census count.
Bohacek said he wants a group "that is truly nonpartisan" but has input from the public and the established political parties.
The legislation would authorize the Republican and Democratic legislative leaders to choose four members. University presidents would solicit applications and choose a Republican, a Democrat, and two nonpartisan members. The eight nominees would choose a ninth from remaining applications.
Republican Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has made such mapmaking a priority but Democratic lawmakers have been unpersuaded.
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