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| Congressional Map Sent to Governor |
(IRN)-The map that will set the stage for next year's congressional races in Illinois is now before Governor Pat Quinn. The Illinois Senate Tuesday afternoon joined the House in approving the redistricting plan.
The map contains 18 U. S. House districts, down from 19, because Illinois' population growth has not kept pace with that of other states. Republicans now hold an 11-8 advantage in the Illinois delegation, but since Democrats control state government and, in turn, the redistricting process, they would seem to have exercised that advantage in map-making.
Republicans note that incumbent members of their party's delegation are being placed into districts with other incumbents, while Democrats are not. Also, several Republicans, while longtime members of Congress, would be forced to campaign in cities they've never represented and thus whose voters may not have ever heard of them.
The chairman of the Senate Redistricting Committee, State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), said his team followed the federal Voting Rights Act as well as "traditional redistricting principles." Raoul's explanation did not satisfy State Senator Matt Murphy (R-Palatine), who told Raoul he looks forward to seeing him brush off the concerns that easily if this winds up in front of a judge.
The vote was almost strictly along party lines, with State Senator Mike Noland (D-Elgin) the only one to break across the line.
S.B. 1178 has passed both chambers and goes to the governor.
(Source: Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 05 31 11 by Newsroom |
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