I also attended this Chamber gathering and while it was good to see old friends and the eggs and bacon were very good, I couldn't help but sense we had six politicians, all Republicans and all singing off the same song sheet. While I happen to know and like some of those assembled, where was diversity and opposing views? Even, maybe, a tea partier would stimulate some thoughtful discusssion. One example of a lack of this was the comment regarding the reason the Governor is spending time with some of the largest businesses in Illinois is solely due to the recent temporary business tax hikes but also many of these businesse have been receiving tax incentives and some of those incentives are close to expiring and so these businesses are looking for the next tax break in or out of Illinois. DuPage county is dominated by one party. I truly wonder if all of those assembled truly believed all of what they were saying.
The scrambled eggs were very good.

I was just going to ask the same thing, Bruce: "while I happen to know and like some of those assembled, where was diversity and opposing views?" I have to wonder if Democrats were invited to the event and declined, or simply weren't asked to come? Was this simply a partisan breakfast for Republicans to bash Democrats, rather than what could have been a useful discussion of the redistricting process and results? It's frustrating to know that while many of those elected on our behalf claim to want to 'work across the aisle' and not solely along party lines, events such as this seem to do just that. I wasn't there, so I can't speak to the event beyond a few reported articles, and a conversation with someone who *was* there.

It's interesting to note that at a meeting just this morning, a friend who was at the event reported that one of the speaking officials commented that while the Republicans claimed this redistricting as a the 'Democratic Incumbent Act,' had the tables been turned, the Republicans would have done the same thing. I was shocked that it was admitted, but not the least bit surprised at the reality of the statement.

Seems those in attendance were "punked" by the sponsoring politicians...

"Democrats placed 20 current Republican lawmakers in districts with other Republican lawmakers, but did not lump any incumbent Democrats together." The meeting was partisan, but where was the diversity of opinion in the redistricting process? The process needs to change. Redistricting should not be in the hands of only one party, whether Democrat or Republican. It should not be in the hands of elected officials at all in order for there to be a fair-map process.

The maps were drawn by the Democrats in charge of Springfield who control the Governor's office and both Houses of the General Assembly. My opinion? Politicians, of any party, should not draw their own maps. Iowa and other States use a pretty simple computer program that draws recognizable and sensible maps. Compare Iowa's new districts to Illinois' and you'll see some unmistakable differences. The comment that Republicans would gerrymander the Democrats similarly if Republicans were in control is likely a true statement... but it does not make the gerrymandering right; it just rationalizes it. A better way is to de-politicize the process as recommended by The League of Women Voters' initiative which promoted the so-called "Fair Map." Iowa utilized such principles for its redistricting process. Last, only Republicans were gerrymandered into new districts with other incumbent Republicans. Perhaps some are okay with "to the victor goes the spoils," but such folks probably should not have expected anything other than a partisan reply to partisan gerrymandering. And for those wishing for a "diversity of opinion" on this topic, I suggest that will be hard to find. Mike Madigan or John Cullerton will not be doing public appearances, particularly in DuPage County, to defend what they drew. Their silence will continue because their work is done. For those seeking more information on redistricting, there is an abundance of Op-Ed pieces on the topic.

I really question the Chamber of Commerce's actions as a not-for-profit sponsoring a politically biased event. This type of political activity could jeopordize their not-for-profit standing.

The redistricting process will never be fair as long as the majority party controls the process, regardless of party. DuPage County is governed by a Republican dictatorship. A group of part time legislators,(95% men) who use their position to further their full time interests as businessmen and lawyers. They spend all their time whining about Mike Madigan. He wil not be around forever. May I suggeat using your time to get out and knock on doors and hear the struggles of famlies in DuPage county, Republican and Democrat. Get out your precint maps and just knock on the doors of the famlies making less than $100,000.00 a year. That would keep the good old boys busy for at least a year, assuming they can walk 8 hours a day 7 days a week!

This process is always about power and control, plain and simple. I like the computer generated model for its fairness and integrity.

I saw the League Breakfast as an opportunity lost regarding "diversity of opinion". While I'm sure Lee Daniels is a fine fellow, as the moderator his role was not to "feed" questions to the panel nor was it to embellish obviously politically biased answers. I was hoping for a moderator of his supposed stature in our county to ask probative questions. As an example, when Senator Sandack indicated he supports the LWV proposed reaportionment plan, the moderator should have followed up with a question seeking more depth of knowledge of the League's proposal. I am happy to see Senator Sandack take a statesman like position on this issue. I can't help but think that the process most recently deployed was essentially developed by Tom Delay and the Texas Republican Party.

Or, more likely, Chicago Dems...