By Greg Bishop/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – A lawmaker initiative asking voters whether they want to reform the legislative-map-making process heads to the Illinois Senate.

The Illinois House passed state Rep. Jack Franks’ redistricting amendment 105-7 Tuesday. The citizens group Independent Maps has put forth a similar proposal.

State Rep. Ron Sandack, R-Downers Grove, said having both a legislature-derived amendment and a citizen-driven one on the November ballot would be confusing to voters.

“And all we’re going to do now is maybe have two questions and have a confusing situation in front of us,” Sandack said.

Franks said having multiple questions actually would be good.

“Wouldn’t that be a great problem to have, to have two of these, that people have a choice and that we could actually change how we redistrict?” Franks said. “I think it would be wonderful.”

State Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield, asked what would happen if both amendments are on the ballot.

Franks said that’s an unlikely scenario.

“But if they do make it both on the ballot, then the citizens would have a choice of which kind of reform they would like, and it would be up to the judiciary to decide how it goes,” Franks said.

Franks said his measure addresses minority representation concerns and would pass constitutional muster. The citizens group also believes its measure would survive a challenge.