Shorewood Voters Could Get A Different Congressman

The proposed U.S. congressional districts in Illinois may see substantial changes starting in 2012.

If the newly proposed zoning maps are approved, Troy Township residents may have a new representative.

The maps are proposed but not finalized, said a spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Elections.

The Illinois Senate has introduced legislation to redistrict the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressional districts are determined by population.

Districts 11 and 14, the two that cover Troy Township, will change in both size and location, according to Senate Bill 1178. The majority of Shorewood would shift from District 11 to District 14. 

Currently, the representative for Shorewood is Adam Kinzinger. The new representative would be Randy Hultgren. 

The majority of Will County has been in District 11. Under the new plan, it would be divided into parts of Districts 1, 2, 3, 11, 14 and 16.

In surrounding areas, Joliet would remain District 11. However, Plainfield would change from District 13 to District 11. Channahon would also change from District 11 to District 16. 

The state's most substantial changes under the proposed plan are within the collar communities, those areas surrounding Cook County.

In the south and west, Elwood would be in District 1, which currently includes Chicago's West Englewood neighborhood, the area west of U.S. Cellular Field, and Harold Washington Park on South Lake Shore Drive.

Similarly, the much-contested area of Peotone would be added to District 2, which is currently represented by Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.

That district currently includes the Lake Shore near the Museum of Science and Industry. It would expand to include Crete, Monee, Rich, Bloom, Washington, Will, Peotone and Wilton Townships. 

The proposed redistricting would need to pass the Illinois Senate and House, then go to Gov. Pat Quinn for signature.