By Alex Degman/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – A campaign to change how Illinois draws its political maps is more than a third of its way to its goal.

Cindi Canary with the group Independent Maps says 210,000 people have so far signed a petition to change the way maps are drawn. The group wants a constitutional amendment to accomplish that.

“What we’re trying to do is take the map drawing process, the way we draw districts for state representatives and state senators, out of the hands of the legislature and give it to an independent commission that will actually draw the districts in public in a very responsible and transparent way,” Canary says.

The commissioners would be chosen through application and must have diverse backgrounds – economically, socially, geographically, etc.

Canary says politicians with a vested interest currently draw the maps every ten years, but the 11-member commission would be an independent voice. 290,000 signatures are required, but Canary is hoping to get 600,000.