Illinois enacts new congressional district maps


Photo of the Illinois State Capitol building

Illinois enacted new congressional districts on Nov. 24, 2021, when Gov. J.B. Pritzer (D) signed a proposal approved by the legislature into law. Illinois was apportioned 17 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, one set less than it was apportioned after the 2010 census. This map will take effect for Illinois’ 2022 congressional elections.

On Oct. 28, the Illinois Senate passed a map in a 41-18 vote, which the House then approved on Oct. 29 in a 71-43 vote. Released on Oct. 28, this was the fourth congressional map that legislative Democrats proposed.

The Associated Press‘ Sara Burnett wrote, “The map … was intended to eliminate two Republican-held districts and make elections easier for Democratic candidates.” Burnett also said the map “added a second predominantly Latino district, after census data showed Illinois’ Latino population grew over the past decade. They also maintained three predominantly Black districts.”

State Sen. Don Harmon (D), president of the Senate, said the map “reflects the diversity of the state of Illinois,” and combined communities “that shared political philosophies and policy objectives.” State Sen. Don DeWitte (R) said, “This will be the most gerrymandered map in the country, and this process will be used as the poster child for why politicians should never be allowed to draw their own maps.”

As of Nov. 24, 18 states had adopted new congressional maps, one map was approved but had not yet taken effect, six states were apportioned one congressional district (so no congressional redistricting is required), and 25 states had not yet adopted new congressional maps. As of Nov. 24 in 2011, 27 states had enacted congressional redistricting plans.

States have completed congressional redistricting for 159 of the 435 seats (36.6%) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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