[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

Illinois Senator Dirksen warned that Chicago would come to dominate Springfield.

That's exactly right -- Chicago and the other urban machines. I grew up in St. Clair County, and the Democrat machine there was Chicago on a smaller scale. What is interesting is that, at least on statewide and congressional races, that area has gone Republican the last few elections. County offices and state legislative offices are still all Democrats.

Illinois used to have proportional representation, in which there would be three reps elected from each legislative district -- two from the majority party, one from the minority -- and that at least guaranteed, say, Republican voters in Chicago would have a voice. I believe that went away with the most recent constitution. I used to be in touch with a guy years ago who wanted to revive that, but it never really got off the ground.

[Jacquerie]

It's the same here in FL. The populous Yankee south often overwhelms northern and panhandle rural counties.

FWIW, here is more on One-Man-One-Vote.

Progressing the Constitution: One Man One Vote.

and

Progressing the Constitution: One Man One Vote II.

[PBRCat]

The three member districts were removed by an amendment to the Illinois Constitution of 1970 promoted by Pat Quinn. The Cutback Amendment was sold to the voters by the empty promise of saving on legislative salaries and promoting efficiency.

It was an absolute failure as the remaining legislators raised their salaries and many of the political hacks survived while the better legislators were out of office once the 1/3 reduction in legislators took effect in 1982.