Special Edition II
House Democrats Released State Senate Maps
Late Friday afternoon the Illinois House Democrats released their version of a proposed Illinois House district maps. These maps split the Senate maps to make two House Districts in each Senate District as required by the Illinois Constitution.
Please note that the House and Senate maps are 99.8% identical. There are some small, minor differences. There is no real substantive difference between the maps and the differences do not affect which district current legislators residences will fall.
There are two House districts for every Senate district, so it is safe to assume each Senate district on the Senate map is split in two for the House districts.
To see the proposed House Districts in the Google Map format please click on this link - House Map or visit http://www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting/ and click on their link to the Google Map.
NO Congressional Map Yet!
We continue to be told from several sources that the Congressional maps are being finalized and will be released “soon.” We have been hearing this for over a week now, so stay tuned.
Redistricting Hearings
The Senate Redistricting Committee held a hearing this past Saturday and the House Redistricting Committee held a hearing yesterday. Testimony was taken and everyone from those opposed, to those in support of the maps gave their opinions. The issue that is being most hotly contested is the topic of “communities of influence” in the Chicago suburban area. The state has seen an expansion of Hispanic population growth, African-American migration, and a growing Asian American community to the Chicago Suburban area making these groups become more vocal in seeing their populations better represented.
Legislatively the Senate has moved several “shell” bills to the House to keep the process moving. Three bills were moved last night for this purpose – SB 1177, SB 1178, and SB 1180. As everything in the General Assembly, everything builds for the deadline of May 31st.
We expect another round of hearings once the Congressional maps are released.
Questions
If you have any questions on the items listed in this edition of QuickView or on other state legislative matters please contact us. The State Legislative Team can be reached at (309) 557-2308 or by e-mail at statelegislation@ilfb.org.