The House Redistricting Committee on Wednesday afternoon passed an amendment that would create new judicial subcircuits in Madison and Bond counties' Third Judicial Circuit.
House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 928 passed the Democratically-controlled committee on a 6-4 vote, presumably on party lines, though the General Assembly hasn't yet posted results of the vote. The text of the language wasn't made public until around noon today.
Belleville Democrat Jay Hoffman serves on the committe, as does Litchfield Republican Avery Bourne.
The proposal has caught many public officials and court stakeholders by surprise, including the State Board of Elections and the Madison County Clerk's office.
The urgency in passing the measure without meaningful public hearing is so that potential judicial candidates in some circuits (including Madison and Bond counties) can participate in circulating nominating petitions when the process begins Jan. 13.
State Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) called the proposal an attempt to "pack the court."
He recalled the legislature's move to reshape the judiciary in St. Clair and surrounding counties at 3 a.m. on June 1, without public hearing or explanation for the need to split off Monroe, Perry, Randolph and Washington counties (total population 101,000) into a new 24th Judicial Circuit, while keeping St. Clair County (262,000) unto its own in the 20th Judicial Circuit.
“When is enough is enough," Meier said of Senate Bill 928.
"The Democrats split the judicial circuit in St. Clair County last year, passed new laws to put violent criminals back on the street and weakened law enforcement’s ability to apprehend criminals.
"Now they are trying to change the rules to give themselves a competitive advantage to elect more Democrat judges. This plan is about packing the courts with more liberal judges, reducing fairness in our court system and this flawed plan will further add millions in additional costs to the taxpayers across the state.”
State Rep. Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg) said the proposal "is all about securing more Democrat judgeships."
"This plan adds more politics in the courtroom and seriously threatens the fairness and integrity of the judiciary," Elik said. "I will be voting against this plan which changes the rules to give Democrats a competitive advantage when running for judge in our state.”
The proposal also adds subcircuits to the the 7th, 17th and 18th Judicial Circuits.
According to Capitol Fax, the Senate did not have a quorum when it was supposed to convene at 11 a.m. today, and when Republicans learned about it, all but Leader Dan McConchie left the building. Senate President Harmon later said there would be a quorum after 2 p.m. The report said members would be back after 4 p.m.