New Congressional Maps Divide Montgomery

Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday signed into law a new Congressional district map, one that will see Montgomery represented by two congressmen. 

The new maps, drawn and approved by Democrats without Republican input, are the result of a once-a-decade redistricting mandated by state law. The idea is to account for changes in population, and to make sure representation is equalized across the state.

In practice, however, the new maps are often drawn to benefit the political party in power at the time, critics say.

Locally, the new maps will draw the majority of Montgomery out of the 14th District, represented by Republican Rep. Randy Hultgren, and into the new 11th. But not all of Montgomery. The portion of the village west of Orchard Road and north of Route 30 will remain in the 14th District.

Combine that with new state Senate and House maps that split Montgomery between districts, and village leaders will have a lot of legislators to petition if they want something done. This result is the opposite of what Village President Marilyn Michelini had been pushing for—she testified at public hearings and petitioned state leaders not to fracture Montgomery.

She said Friday, however, that redistricting may end up being a good thing, as it will likely diversify the voter base.

The current 11th District, which stretches as far east as Darien, is represented by Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who defeated Debbie Halvorson last year. But the new maps draw his Manteno home outside the boundaries, leaving no incumbent for next year’s election.

Democrat Bill Foster, who served the 14th District for one term before losing his seat to Hultgren last year, has officially declared his candidacy, and several prominent Democrats—including Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, and State Sen. Linda Holmes—have voiced their support for him.

Aurora Alderman-at-Large Richard Irvin is mulling a run for the Republican nomination. He is currently touring the district, meeting with local leaders and gauging support. Several other Republicans are reportedly considering throwing their hats into the ring as well.

Michelini said she knows who she would back.

“I would support Bill Foster,” she said. “He did a really good job when he represented the 14th, and I think he would do an excellent job [in the 11th].”

As for the 14th, Hultgren’s Winfield home currently shares a district with Republican Rep. Joe Walshof McHenry. The new 14th includes most of Kendall County, and stretches nearly to the northern border of the state.

No candidates, incumbent or otherwise, have announced their intentions for that district.

All of this could be moot, too, if Republicans follow through with their plan to challenge the new maps in court. In a joint statement Friday, Republican U.S. legislators from Illinois lambasted the maps as flawed, and promised legal challenges.

"Gov. Quinn said that the way in which district lines are drawn contributes to the success of our democracy," the statement reads in part. "Yet the map he approved seeks to reverse the results of a democratic election. Gov. Quinn advocated for a fair and open process. Instead, he has guaranteed an unfair and closed one."

To see an interactive Google map of the new districts, click here.