More redistricting drama: Johnson, Shimkus homes swapped
Eric Fodor
The Capitol was busy Monday with end-of-session scurrying and more redistricting drama.
The Capitol was busy Monday with end-of-session scurrying and more redistricting drama.
An amendment passed by the state House Monday afternoon would change the congressional maps a little, but create a big wave in the process. Rep. John Shimkus' home was redrawn into the newly-configured 15th Congressional District and Rep. Tim Johnson's home was drawn into the new 13th District, according to the Springfield State Journal-Register.
The state Senate maps had Shimkus' home in the 13th District, which includes parts of Springfield, Decatur, Champaign-Urbana and Bloomington-Normal. The 15th District is a wide swath of rural land in eastern and Southern Illinois, including southeastern Illinois.
That means if the current map is signed by Gov. Pat Quinn, Shimkus would still represent our region, plus some more of his old territory and some of Johnson's old district. Johnson would be in territory that includes his home base of Champaign-Urbana and a lot of unfamiliar territory that could lean more Democratic, according to the State Journal-Register.
The map revision now goes back to the state Senate for approval. The Senate has to pass it by midnight tonight to avoid needing Republican votes for passage.
The new map appears to be a break for Shimkus, as noted by the State Journal-Register. For Johnson, the 13th District looks tough but not impossible. I still believe both districts are winnable for an incumbent Republican, but tossups if no incumbent runs.
Johnson could also decide to challenge Shimkus in a primary in the 15th District.
House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn-Currie did not say why the homes of the two congressmen were swapped. Is someone giving some love to Shimkus? Has Johnson run afoul of someone in Springfield? Is the 13th District drawn with a particular candidate in mind?