State Dems Release New Districting Maps

By Chuck Sudo in News on May 19, 2011 7:44PM

Illinois Democratic leaders unveiled their proposed legislative maps today and they've gerrymandered the districts in such a way that, if Gov. Quinn approves, could pit GOP versus GOP.

The state map shows 59 Senate districts and 118 legislative districts: 2 representatives for each Senator. But in at least four districts, Republican incombents could be facing each other in election campaigns, including Senate Republcan leader Christine Radogno.

The map also reflects population shifts among African American voters, Latino voters and the loss of population from Chicago to the suburbs between the 2000 and 2010 Censuses. Cartographers for Senate President John Cullerton created seven districts for Black voters (a loss of one), while Hispanic voters would gain a district.

A hearing on the maps will be held Saturday at noon at the Michael A. Bilandic building (160 N. LaSalle)