Proposed new legislative map pits Frese and Davidsmeyer in same House district

The Illinois General Assembly released their preliminary proposals for new legislative boundaries late Friday night and it pits several Republican incumbents against each other in the Illinois House.

Democrats control the process because of their super majorities in both the House and Senate.

In the first draft, Adams County is divided three ways and would be part of three new house districts: The 94th, 99th and 100th. Adams would also be represented by two state senators, serving the 47th and 50th Districts, although incumbents Jil Tracy (R-47, Quincy) and Steve McClure (R-50, Springfield) are not pitted against each other.

While the new 47th moves north and to the east (tough to go west with the Mississippi River in the way), the new 36th Senate District includes Galesburg, Macomb and the Quad Cities.

The new 99th House District contains both Quincy and Jacksonville and pits two incumbents against each other: Rep. Randy Frese (R-94, Quincy) and Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-100, Jacksonville).

There appears to be trend in the House map where 22 Republicans were placed in competing districts.

In the Senate, two Democrats and two Republicans were put in the same districts: Democrats Tom Cullerton and Suzanne Glowiak and Republicans Jason Plummer and Darren Bailey. Bailey has already announced he is running for governor and could not run for the State Senate at the same time.

Cullerton is from the Chicago-area (Villa Park) and is facing federal embezzlement charges with a trail expected next year.

Hearings on the map are this week:

•  Tuesday, May 25 at 4:00 PM – Joint House and Senate Hearing
• · Tuesday, May 25 at 6:00 PM – House Hearing
• · Wednesday, May 26 at 4:00 PM – Joint House and Senate Hearing
• · Wednesday, May 26 at 6:00 PM – Senate Hearing

These hearings will allow for in-person and virtual testimony. Details can be found online at www.ilga.gov. 

Redistricting occurs every ten years as each state is required to draw new boundaries for legislative districts in response to shifts in population. While the Illinois Constitution does not require the use of U.S. Census data to draft a map, the Constitution does contain a June 30 deadline for the General Assembly to craft a map.