Springfield lawmakers argue over new congressional map for Illinois

Posted on October 28, 2021
There is no guarantee any map will get a vote today, the final day of the legislature’s fall veto session. (Photo courtesy: Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The process of creating a new congressional map for Illinois – following the Census – is necessary, and it’s also a little ugly.

There’s a desire to create a second Latino-influenced district, and Senate remap chair Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) just may run in it. State Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) tried to call him out on it, but Aquino declared the meeting adjourned. Plummer grumbled, “What a joke,” before shutting off his camera.

In addition to sprawling, strange-shaped districts, the remap is a chance to put more than one incumbent in the same district. The current iteration has U.S. Reps. Marie Newman (D-La Grange) and Sean Casten (D-Downers Grove); U.S. Reps Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon); and U.S. Reps. Mary Miller (R-Oakland) and Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro).

There is no guarantee any map will get a vote today, the final day of the legislature’s fall veto session.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…