Even Republicans Not Drawn Into Primaries Face Challenges
New House districts proposed by Democrats Friday.
Republicans are having no fun with the new legislative maps introduced by Democrats late Friday night.
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) called the plan “nothing less than a kindergartener’s artwork.”
While more than 20 House Republicans were drawn potentially into member vs. member primaries, even those who don’t face a colleague saw many of their districts change dramatically.
Conservative “Eastern Bloc” legislator Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) lives at the northern tip of his current 110th House District, but would transition to the southern tip of the new 101st House District.
That’s a similar predicament for Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield), who would lose the northern portion of his district and be shifted to a more Springfield-centric district that moves to the south and east.
Butler is the top Republican on the House Redistricting Committee and has been a thorn in the side of House Democrats on the committee through the entire process.
“Frankly, these maps make a joke of the redistricting process,” Butler said in a news conference Monday morning. “They’re a slap in the face to the public who have been demanding fairness and openness to this process.”
While no Senate Republicans are paired in primaries (Sen. Jason Plummer and Sen. Darren Bailey are drawn in the same district, but Bailey is running for Governor), some members find themselves facing new territory.
Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) has his new district shifted all the way south to almost LaSalle-Peru.
“The Democrat Majority has introduced a map that ensures their hold on power remains so they can continue to do what they have always done, keep their friends in power to perpetuate tax and spend polices,” said Senate GOP spokesperson Whitney Barnes. “They are taking whatever actions necessary to ensure that politicians can draw their own maps and pick their own voters instead of letting voters pick their politicians.”
Not every Republican made out worse in the proposal. Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont), the powerful suburban mayor, traded some of his more liberal precincts for safer, slightly Republican precincts.
While Republican Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) isn’t drawn into a district with a Republican member, she’s likely to face a battle with a Democrat. Mazzochi was drawn out a district resembling her current one by one street and into the district represented by Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park).
It’s unlikely the Republican howling on the remap will have any impact on the final outcome as Democrats hold supermajorities in both chambers, but Durkin called on Governor JB Pritzker to veto the plan anyway.
“It’s now up to you to keep your promise,” said Durkin, aiming at the Governor. “Veto this map on behalf of the 13 million Illinoisans you represent.”
