Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Illinois Senate Democrats Release Proposed Realigned Illinois Congressional Districts

Illinois Senate Redistricting Chairman Kwame Raoul has released a proposal to realign Illinois Congressional District boundaries.  

Illinois must reduce its Representatives in the US House of Representatives from 19 to 18 because--based on the 2010 census--Illinois has lost population and population growth.   Furthermore, population, in general,  has shifted from Chicago to suburban areas.  For example, anyone living in Will County during the last decade has witnessed thousands upon thousands of acres of farmland sold and developed for suburban housing .

The proposal greatly changes congressional districts in Will County.   For example, under the proposal, Will County townships such as Florence, Will, Washington, and  Crete would be in Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s district.  Furthermore, under the proposal, Will County Townships such as Frankfort, Green Garden, and Manhattan would be in Congressman Bobby Rush's district.  View the proposed realigned Congressional Boundaries here.