* Press release…

The House and Senate Redistricting Committees have released a proposed map of new congressional boundaries designed to comply with federal law and ensure the broad diversity of the state is reflected in the elected officials sent to represent Illinois in Washington D.C.

The release of this draft comes after a series of public House and Senate hearings held across the state intended to collect as much input and testimony as possible. The proposal can be viewed at www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting and www.ilsenateredistricting.com. The public is encouraged to provide feedback during additional hearings that will begin next week.

“This proposal is an excellent first draft that amplifies diverse voices and gives every person in our state a say in government,” said Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, D-Cicero, Chairperson of the House Redistricting Committee. “I look forward to ongoing discussion with members of the public, advocacy groups, and community organizations as we continue this effort to ensure our congressional boundaries reflect the diversity of this great state.”

“Population changes over the last decade meant many of the current districts were unbalanced. This proposed map is an effort to ensure every community across our state receives fair and equal representation in Washington,” said Sen. Elgie Sims, Vice Chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee. “We thank those who have taken time to participate in this process and look forward to receiving continued feedback from voices across Illinois.”

Finalized hearings for the House and Senate are as follows:

· House Hearing: Wednesday, October 20 at 9:00 a.m. at the Illinois State Capitol, Room 114
· Senate Hearing: Wednesday, October 20 at 2 p.m. at the Illinois State Capitol, Room 212 (Virtual Hearing – participants may testify at the hearing location or via Zoom)

Additional hearing information will be forthcoming as dates and locations are finalized. These will be hybrid hearings with the opportunity for in-person and virtual testimony. Those wishing to provide testimony, submit electronic testimony or submit electronic witness slips can do so in advance of the hearing via the General Assembly website www.ilga.gov or through email at redistrictingcommittee@hds.ilga.gov and redistrictingcommittee@senatedem.ilga.gov. The General Assembly is expected to vote on new congressional boundaries by the end of the scheduled fall veto session.

Demographics are here. As expected, there’s only one Latino district.

*** UPDATE 1 *** Democrat Marie Newman and Republican Adam Kinzinger are in the same district (CD3).

*** UPDATE 2 *** Republicans Mary Miller and Darin LaHood are in the same district (CD16).

Also, US Rep. Robin Kelly’s district now goes south to… Ashkum in Iroquois County, and even further west it goes south past Fairbury in Livingston County.

…Adding… ILGOP…

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy released the following statement in response to Democrats unveiling their proposed congressional redistricting map:

“Illinois Democrats, led by Governor JB Pritzker, have made it clear that they are willing to disenfranchise Illinois voters and break repeated campaign promises to do the bidding of Nancy Pelosi and DC power brokers. Call this new Illinois map the Nancy Pelosi Protection Plan. It’s appalling that fair representation, keeping communities of interest together, and transparency in the mapmaking process in Illinois all had to take a back seat to the demands of national politics. No one has done more to degrade the Democratic process here in Illinois and add to the issue of hyper-polarization of elected representatives than JB Pritzker.”

…Adding… Durkin…

Below is a statement from House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) on the recently released Illinois Congressional maps:

“In another insult to Illinois voters, Democrats drew more partisan maps to benefit their incumbent politicians and protect Nancy Pelosi’s failing majority.”

*** UPDATE 3 *** You can view this map as a series of messages to some Democrats and Democratic constituencies. For instance, the message to Newman seems to be: You have a choice between running against Kinzinger with relatively few Chicago precincts or you can represent a Latino district. I’m told Newman made huge demands and was generally uncooperative.

…Adding… Kinzinger…

Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) released the following statement after Illinois Democrats in Springfield released their proposal for the state’s congressional map:

“I have proudly served six terms in the U.S. House and it has been an honor to do so. Following the release of the new congressional maps for Illinois, my team and I will spend some time looking them over and reviewing all of the options, including those outside the House.

“This redistricting process has been anything but transparent, which comes as no surprise to anyone. I believe the people of Illinois deserve better.”

*** UPDATE 4 *** Rodney Davis currently lives in what will be the 15th District, which does not appear to lean Democratic, despite what some other outlets are reporting. Tribune…

The map would put Republican U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis of Taylorville and Mike Bost of Murphysboro into their own districts, though Davis’ district would lean Democratic.

Crain’s…

Davis’ district would be converted into a skinny Democratic-tilting district in which he might have a difficult time winning re-election.

Both of those articles appear to claim he’s in the 13th CD. Nope. Click here to look up Davis’ home address, then click here and input that address into the map search and see for yourself.

…Adding… Leader McConchie…

“This week, the Speaker’s Office confirmed that the Governor’s Office was a part of drawing the gerrymandered maps released today,” said Illinois Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods). “There is truly nothing you can trust about this Administration anymore. It is a sad day for democracy in Illinois.”

…Adding… Rodney Davis…

As expected, our lying Governor teamed up with state Democrats to draw a shameful, partisan gerrymander in a desperate attempt to keep Nancy Pelosi in power. This proposed map, along with this entire redistricting process, is a complete joke. It’s clear Governor Pritzker and the Democrats will stoop to any low if it means they can keep their corrupt system going.

…Adding… US Rep. LaHood…

When I served in the Illinois State Senate, I was proud to support a Fair Maps redistricting process because Illinoisans have made it clear that they are tired of politicians picking their voters. Illinois Democrats and Governor Pritzker have shown with their proposed map that they care more about doing the bidding of Nancy Pelosi than giving Illinois voters fair representation in Washington. The proposed maps are a slap in the face to good governance everywhere. Illinois voters deserve much better than this non-transparent, corrupt process.

…Adding… A very unhappy Democratic incumbent…

Representative Marie Newman (IL-03) released the following statement in response to the Illinois congressional map proposal that was released today:

“While our team continues to review the draft congressional map that was released earlier today, it is abundantly apparent that what has currently been proposed for Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District is not only retrogressive but substantially diminishes the diverse and progressive voices of Chicago’s Southwest Side and suburbs. I know that IL-03’s constituents will ensure their voices are heard loud and clear at these public hearings over the coming days.”

“I look forward to continuing to represent the constituents of Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District.”