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* For the Chicago Tribune editorial board, the world is always about to end…
[Redistricting is] a prime opportunity for political gamesmanship, and the Dems did not pass it up. If their map is approved — and there’s scant chance it won’t be — several Republicans will find themselves in diabolically reconfigured districts.
Look, this is a politically harsh map. No doubt about it. And the Democrats went overboard when they put Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno into a district with another Republican. But does that make the Democrats diabolical? For some reason, that word makes me think of this…
* Anyway, back to reality…
To accommodate Latino growth, the map would create an additional Senate district with a majority of voting-age Hispanics. The four current districts have voting-age Hispanic populations of 53 to 68 percent. The five new districts have voting-age Hispanic populations of 50.3 to almost 65 percent.
“Legal precedent shows 65 percent majority is the precedent we use in terms of ensuring a Latino community can elect a candidate of its choice,” said Isabel Anadon, of the Latino Policy Forum. She said the proposal fell far short of what a Latino coalition was seeking.
That could mean a lawsuit is in the future. But expanding Latino districts too much will impact black majority districts…
Currently, there are eight Senate districts with populations of voting-age African-Americans ranging from 56 to 67 percent. But to deal with Chicago’s population loss, the proposed map creates seven Senate districts with voting-age black populations ranging from 50.5 percent to 60 percent. In an eighth district, voting-age blacks represent 48.6 percent of the population.
You can see a comparison of how the districts changed over the past ten years by clicking here.
* On to the Senate Republicans, who are not happy whatsoever, particularly southern Illinois Republicans whose houses are no longer in their districts…
Republicans scoffed. They noted half a dozen or more GOP lawmakers would be placed in the same districts under the Democratic proposal, forcing them to run against one another, move or step aside.
“This proves that the way we draw maps is corrupt, political and kind of despicable, really,” said Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, whose home would not be included in the new Democratic version of his district.
Just an FYI here, legislators can run in any district that includes even a little section of the district they currently represent. They do have to move, however. Most GOP districts weren’t redrawn with big partisan changes, just residency issues…
Political analyst John Jackson said it could be worse for the GOP.
The 54th District includes counties that typically vote Republican.
The 58th, which was changed only to carve Luechtefeld out and brings Jones in, has elected a republican for the past 20 years, Jackson pointed out.
In the proposed districts “[Luechtefeld and Jones] can win and essentially are the incumbents… they’re just not the districts they’ve been representing,” he said
* The Senate President has said that Republicans can offer up amendments to change the boundaries next week…
Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, dismissed GOP objections to the lines.
“I think they should introduce amendments if they want to change it,” Cullerton said.
It’s not at all clear yet whether the Republicans will follow through with changes. Nobody would clearly - or even obliquely - answer my questions about that topic yesterday.
* I’ve told subscribers about this already…
Luechtefeld said Thursday he thinks his district was shifted in order to have a House district where Jerry Costello II, son of U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, can run for office.
“I think Jerry Costello Jr. would like to have his dad’s job someday, and feels like he has to get into government,” Luechtefeld said.
The congressman’s spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment. Jerry Costello II did not immediately return a message left with his spokeswoman.
Luechtefeld said it’s his understanding that Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville, will retire, and Jerry Costello Jr. will be appointed to the 116th House District seat or will run for the seat.
* And there’s lots of speculation about this…
“I think this is a shocker map,” state Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, said.
Bomke, who was one of the few downstate Republicans who said they liked their new district, said he expected another, less dramatic map, to come out soon.
One reason for a “shocker map” could be to get some GOP votes on tough issues. It’s a lot easier for a Republican to make an uncomfortable vote and keep his or her old district than to make the easy vote and have to start again somewhere else, Mooney said.
* Roundup…
* Suburban senators get a look at new political map plan
* Senate redistricting map cuts Springfield into thirds
* Springfield-area Senate districts: Before and after
* Empty state Senate seats: 51st Senate District: As you can see, there are two incumbent House members (Republicans Bill Mitchell and Chapin Rose) who live in this district, but no incumbent senators. Most of this Senate territory belonged to either Republican Sen. Dale Righter of Matoon or GOP Sen. Kyle McCarter, who lives in the Metro East but whose current district stretches up to Decatur. There are also chunks of Champaign and Vermillion counties that used to belong to Sen. Mike Frerichs, a Champaign Democrat.
* Want to run for Illinois Senate? Here’s where you should go.
* Schmidt feels shifting Senate districts
* Map of new Illinois districts released after secret deliberations
* Illinois Democrats want to paint new Congressional map blue
* VIDEO: Cullerton on remap
* VIDEO: Luechtefeld on redistricting
* VIDEO: McCarter on redistricting
* VIDEO: Sen. Jacobs on remap
* VIDEO: Righter on remap
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 20, 11 @ 8:35 am
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Snidley Whiplash? That’s rich, Rich!
Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, May 20, 11 @ 8:56 am
Sure that’s not Simon Legree…..?
Comment by Plutocrat03 Friday, May 20, 11 @ 8:59 am
I look at this through two prisms.
Through the first prism, we lost the governor’s race last year, didn’t win nearly enough House & Senate seats and now face the perils of not riding the 2010 GOP tide towards the mansion or control of at least one house. That doomed us from the day after the election until now. We have only ourselves to blame.
Through the second prism, I wonder how many Chicago-area Democrats and Illinois Democratic operatives and supporters were up in arms when the Texas GOP, led by Tom DeLay, remapped the Texas Congressional districts in 2005 and demanded “justice”. I remember hearing many of my Democratic friends bemoan the maneuver and call it “morally wrong”. Well, you can’t talk out both sides of your mouth. If you’re going to release a map that hits almost every Republican Senator in the gut, you have to expect criticism and perhaps even brace for lawsuits.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:07 am
TS, that TX remap was a remap of a remap. lol Big difference, man.
Also, wanna bet that TX remapx2 was nowhere near what this one is?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:08 am
I wonder how Illinois’ mapmaking process compares to other states’ mapmaking process where republicans control all branches of state govt. probably similar and equally diabolical, I’ll guess. I could be wrong, but I don’t believe too many states have a more fair/computerized mapmaking process.
But this doesn’t make Illinois Dem leadership correct. Republicans can hope that in the long run, the Dems have been too agressive in their mapmaking, and a shift for 2014 would mean too many not-so-democratic districts.
Comment by Robert Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:10 am
I know that, Rich. I remember it well. But it was also called diabolical and it too reeked of partisanship. My point was that any remap can be made to look bad and that there are always going to be folks who howl about how districts are drawn and how cities are split.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:12 am
===there are always going to be folks who howl about how districts are drawn and how cities are split. ===
True and agreed, which is why I had a bit of fun.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:14 am
I am growing tired of whining of republicans about the political moves by Dems. We dropped the ball on the most corrept governor in history and couldn’t win that spot or make any serious headway in the legislature. Sooner or later you have to man up and get it done.
It is pretty simple, if you think the map was too political. Move into someone else’s district and beat them. If not, go get a jobwhere you have to actually do something like the rest of us.
Comment by the Patriot Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:16 am
In the words of Simon Barsinister “I’m gonna rule the WORLD!!!”
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:16 am
I’m sure the Republicans are giving the Democrats a real screwing in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas and other states where they control both houses and the governor’s office. And instead of complaining about the Delay Texas remap, Illinois Democrats should have done the same thing.
Comment by maddem Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:21 am
the best republican remap job in 2000 was done in florida where the gop went from a 15-8 edge to a 19-6 edge-they picked up 2 seats from rust belt states-thus the change. I think part of that came from a deal they cut with black members of congress where they agreed to pack minorities in 3 districts. florida, you’ll recall was a 50/50 state in presidential cycles and has 1 gop 1 dem us senator.
as for this, my hat is off to senate democrats on placing 5 of the 6 downstate republicans outside their districts. Leaving no detail untouched. I don’t like it, but it is what makes the process so feared.
Comment by Shore Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:24 am
The rapture could be tomorrow so perhaps the Tribune is correct about the end of the world.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:26 am
This loyal opposition routine from the Trib has been old for years, and it’s clearly not working out for them business-wise. I propose a 180 on this: out-do the Sun-Times and create a true NYC-style tabloid. Zero in on the craziest and most entertaining scandals among Democratic electeds (or anyone, the context isn’t the important bit), sink their teeth in and never let go.
It would at the very least generate more interest than this canned outrage.
Comment by Dirt Digger Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:27 am
Who played their political more poorly: Radogno or Quinn?
Comment by Time Keeps on Ticking, Ticking Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:28 am
The map could also be viewed as offering career counseling to some current Republican office holders.
Comment by Aldyth Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:30 am
The map could probably be even worse for the GOP if the Dems were not worried about protecting the interests of their incumbents and just drew districts that were likely to elect Ds or Rs. There was one congressional map that was floated that crammed most of the Republicans in the state into just three districts (and that map even took into account the sensibilities of incumbent Ds). If I could ignore the interests of the incumbents, I’m sure I could draw a GA map that would cause even greater howls of pain from the GOP.
Comment by LouisXIV Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:32 am
Pluto,
Positive its Snidley.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snidely_Whiplash
The real question I have: who is Dudley Do-Right in this state?
BTW, I believe Rocky and Bullwinkle to be one of the absolute best cartoon shows ever made and shown on TV. Dudley was part of the cast.
Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:36 am
Southern IL Republican Legislators have no one to blame but themselves - they wanted brady and this is what brady/clarke gave them in return. So not only did billy lose the mansion but a number of republicans as well.
Comment by rep whiners Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:41 am
This may be a sad way of looking at it, but doesn’t this map seem to punish some of Bill Brady’s biggest caucus supporters? If some of them had supported Dillard for Governor, Dillard might BE governor, and they would be enjoying the amendatory veto power protection that comes with the spoils of winning that office.
Maybe primary results have permanent consequences?
Comment by Madison County Watcher Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:46 am
@rep whiners
You were reading my mind.
Comment by Madison County Watcher Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:53 am
This is such an insider thing.
I think the Republican lawmakers are kidding themselves if they think anyone beyond their family and staff care if they don’t have an easy free ride back to reelection.
Regular people, includig regular Republicans, really haven’t seen any work output from these GOP lawmakers. But now we’re supposed to care about their fate?
My sense is even the average Republican out there is saying go #@!% yourselves. Times are tough for all these days. So welcome to the party pal.
Comment by just sayin' Friday, May 20, 11 @ 9:59 am
Is this the House Dem map?
Comment by Madison County Watcher Friday, May 20, 11 @ 10:05 am
== Well, you can’t talk out both sides of your mouth.==
People do it all the time. As Dudley Do-Right often said:
For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”
But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country” when the guns begin to shoot.
Comment by Pat Robertson Friday, May 20, 11 @ 10:11 am
This is why elections are so important. We (The GOP) had a chance to put Brady in the Governor’s mansion. Brady ran a poor campaign in the last few weeks and moderates didn’t like him as much as they liked Kirk. So, we lost. This is what we get. Hope everyone on “our” side is happy.
Comment by Ghost of John Brown Friday, May 20, 11 @ 10:17 am
Or Kipling. . .
Comment by Way Way Down Here Friday, May 20, 11 @ 10:17 am
One thing I will say:
It drives me nuts when politicians worry about “new” areas. Really? In today’s world and economy, workers in nearly every field routinely have to alter their work routines, learn new trades/information and brace for possible mergers and/or expansion. Politicians are elected to lead our state and country. The least of their worries should be the prospect of facing new people. My toddler does a decent job of meeting new people and making friends. I’m quite sure many of the current Senators and Reps will be okay if they are “forced” to run in new areas. And I’m also quite sure professional staffers who have been in the game forever will manage just fine.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, May 20, 11 @ 10:36 am
Hypocrisy abounds!
For two years, the Tribune and Republicans have been bellowing at the top of their lungs about how competitive elections are good things.
Apparently, that standard doesn’t apply to Christine Radogno?
Did I miss her coronation, or is there some other reason she shouldn’t have to campaign for re-elections?
@just sayin’ is absolutely right.
In fact, I’ll go further. GOP conservatives have been screaming about the lack of competitive primaries on their side of the aisle, which reduces their chances of elected Republicans that share their values.
Well, we’re gonna have some Republican primaries under this map.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, May 20, 11 @ 10:40 am
I agree with YDD. You snooze, you lose. Unless there is some illegal shenanigans associated with the remap, it is what it is. Let’s get on with the competition.
However, the Republicans should use their votes to influence the final map. And the Democrats should be prepared to go it completely alone for the rest of the session if they don’t make some changes to accommodate the Republicans.
Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, May 20, 11 @ 10:44 am
My hero!
Comment by 10th Indy Friday, May 20, 11 @ 11:03 am
Now if the Dem leadership would put the same effort toward fixing the budget as they have “fixing” the map, we’d be in darn good shape.
Comment by Shemp Friday, May 20, 11 @ 11:13 am
Team Sleep: nice try. illinois could have done the same thing a few years ago after it captured all three branches and didn’t/wouldn’t…
Comment by bored now Friday, May 20, 11 @ 11:38 am
Moreover, if Republicans wanted to protect their ca-rears and have a say in the map, they should have mentioned that when Democrats were looking for votes on a tax hike.
But what was their Mantra?
“We’re in the minority, Democrats are the majority. If they want to pass a tax hike, they can do it without us.”
Back atchya.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, May 20, 11 @ 12:01 pm
And Speaking of Cry Babies:
Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross says hard feelings over Democrat-led redistricting are complicating the last few weeks of the legislative session.
The Oswego Republican made his comments Friday during a taping of WBBM-AM’s “At Issue” public affairs news show. It airs on Sunday.
Yeah, guess what Tom? There’s some pretty hard feeling among all of the non-profit agencies that provide state services and haven’t been paid in six months because you oppose borrowing.
There’s some pretty hard feelings among all of the public servants who have seen their pay cut and live under daily threats of having their pension slashed.
There’s some pretty hard feelings among Illinois families who’ve been left helpless as you helped slash funding for vital services.
So, pardon me if I’m not to sympathetic that some of your colleagues might actually have to go out and justify their re-election to the voters.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, May 20, 11 @ 12:15 pm
The districts are contiguous anyway. “Compact”, on the other hand, is a subjective term so liberal interpretation should be expected. But imagine what it would look like if they could figure out how to also blatantly ignore contiguous. Every house on a block could be in a different district. Heck… why stop at the house… every person in a house could be in a different district, though drawing the map would be more challenging.
Comment by cynical Friday, May 20, 11 @ 12:18 pm
The rules have been in place since the Constitution was enacted. The GOP clobbered the Dems in ‘90, but couldn’t make it stick in the House.
Every whiner complaining about an unfair map today needs to start working on a Constitutional amendment tomorrow. Otherwise, it’s just gas.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 20, 11 @ 2:54 pm
===The GOP clobbered the Dems in ‘90===
I think you mean 94. HDems won a veto-proof majority in 90.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 20, 11 @ 3:00 pm
correct. post-90 census map.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 20, 11 @ 3:22 pm
Pate played games with Cullerton that forced him to move. Turn about is far play!
Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 20, 11 @ 3:58 pm