Democrats Publish New Congressional Map on a Saturday Afternoon
In a new congressional map released Saturday afternoon, Democrats appeared to strengthen a 14-3 partisan advantage from the first map last week and threw six of the current 18 members of the state delegation into potential contested primaries.
Six of the current 18 members of Illinois’ congressional delegation appear to be drawn into potential member vs. member primaries in a new draft congressional map released by House and Senate Democrats Saturday afternoon.
Freshman Congresswoman Marie Newman (D-LaGrange) had her 3rd district dismantled in the latest map and was drawn into the 6th District with Congressman Sean Casten (D-Downers Grove). Newman had publicly complained about the initial version of the map and may face punishment in the form of a primary for her frustrations.
Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) and Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) were drawn together in the new 16th District. Though, Kinzinger could run in the nearby 14th District, which encompasses parts of his current district. If he were to run there, he would face Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) in the November election in a district that likely leans Democratic.
Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) and Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-Oakland) have been drawn into the new 12th District. Miller’s home is about 1.5 miles outside of the new 15th District, which is home to Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville). If Davis runs for Governor, Miller could seek that seat next year.
Members of Congress are not required to live in the district they run in or represent, just to live in the state.
Meanwhile, Democrats have continued efforts to gerrymander the 13th District and 17th District for a Democrat to win. The new 13th district contains urban areas of St. Clair and Madison counties, including East St. Louis and Belleville, all of Springfield east of Veteran’s Parkway, north Decatur, and all of Champaign-Urbana. Former Pritzker and Biden staffer Nikki Budzinski has already declared her intention to seek the seat.
In the 17th, multiple “fingers” extend out to connect the Quad Cities with Rockford, Peoria, and most of Bloomington-Normal. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-Moline) is not seeking re-election. Both Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) and Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford) say they’re considering running for the seat. Redistricting expert Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report says the new 17th gives Democrats a 9-point built in advantage.
It also appears a second Latino plurality district has been drawn in the latest draft. The new 3rd District appears to have around 47% Latino population in a district that stretches from Logan Square in the city of Chicago west to Bartlett, West Chicago, and Wheaton in DuPage County.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s (D-Matteson) 2nd District runs from 43rd and Lake Shore Drive on Chicago’s south side down the Indiana line to pick up Danville and much of Vermilion County. It also picks up Rantoul, portions of Gibson City and portions of Pontiac.
Democrats say the map is a reflection of the state.
“These new proposed congressional boundaries are historic and reflect the great diversity present throughout the state,” said Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero), Chair of the House Redistricting Committee. “The proposal ensures minorities, as well as the rest of Illinoisans, have an equitable voice in representation in Washington.”
Republican legislators have not responded publicly to the new map, but one Republican operative tells The Illinoize, the GOP has a chance to win as many of 9 of the seats as they’re drawn. The source says the GOP could perform well in the new 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 14th, and 17th, including the 12th, 15th, and 16th, which were drawn for Republicans.
“I don’t think this map is that great for Democrats,” the operative said. “Like usual, they’re drinking the D.C. consultant Kool-Aid served up by Anne Caprara.”
Caprara is Governor JB Pritzker’s Chief of Staff who previously worked in Washington for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and liberal political action committee Priorities USA. Caprara has not responded to a message giving her an opportunity to respond to the statement.
Democrats are expected to pass the new map next week during the final week of the fall veto session.