Democrats have released their proposal for new Illinois House districts that would make political life harder for Republicans.
The map was made public Friday afternoon. Democrats plan a hearing on Sunday where more detail may be available and critics can air their concerns.
The proposal throws some Republicans into the same districts.
Others would lose territory that could be used to help elect Democrats.
This version of the map includes a new development, or rather, a new district, in the works for the metro-east, as the Belleville News-Democrat points out:
And if you've ever considered running for the Illinois House of Representatives, now might be your chance: The proposed map also draws up a new 108th House District in the metro-east which currently has no state representatives residing in it. That new 108th District district starts on the east sides of Glen Carbon and Edwardsville, then stretches southeast to encompass Highland, Trenton, Breese, Carlyle, Okawville, Hoyleton and Nashville.
Legislative districts are redrawn every 10 years to reflect population changes. Senate Democrats released a proposal for their own districts yesterday.
Democrats are in charge of the mapping process because they control the Illinois House, Senate and governorship.
The plan they approve will shape Illinois politics for the next decade.
