Downstate Illinois in 2020

[Mr. Illini]

Illinois is almost certain to lose a congressional seat in the 2020 rearrangement.

IL-12 and IL-13 are appearing increasingly difficult for Democrats to win, with IL-13 seeing problems with turnout (Dem base is African-Americans and college students) and IL-12 seeing departing southern Democrats.

In 2020, Dems may look to draw the most Democratic parts of these two districts to lock down a district downstate.

This is one option that they may channel:



This district was 60/40 Obama/McCain in 2008. The demographics are similar to those of the current IL-13.

It includes all of Champaign-Urbana, all of Decatur, the more Democratic southern parts of Springfield, some of the more persistently Democratic portions of Calhoun County, and then most of the St. Louis Metro East suburbs.

Comments? Other ideas?

[Mr. Illini]

The Independent Maps group recently announced that it had over 300k signatures towards its goal of 600k by spring. A minimum of 290k valid signatures are needed to get on the ballot in Nov 2016.

I will vote against. It must be done at once, as the host of Republican-controlled states don't seem to be easing on this any time soon. Illinois must be a buffer against maps like North Carolina.