Yes! remap drive: 346,759 on petitions; need at least 298,400

The group organizing the petition drive to strip state lawmakers of control of redistricting state House and Senate districts in Illinois reported Tuesday morning that they have collected 346,759 signatures, more than the minimum of 298,400 signatures of Illinois voters needed to be submitted by May 5. The group, Yes! For Independent Maps, wants voters to decide in November if an independent commission should be created to draw the maps.

Yes! anticipates challeges to the signatures from opponents to the measure; the goal is to collect between 450,000 and 500,000 signers. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg gave Yes! $500,0000, the Illinois Board of Elections reported on Monday.

My Sunday column and video on the Yes! group, based in the West Loop is HERE.

Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown Tuesday column about minority groups not on board with Yes! is HERE.