#il11

Israel suggested four Illinois districts under the new map would be prime prospects for Democrats: 8, 10, 11, all in Chicago’s suburbs, and Downstate, 17. Israel had no sympathy for Republicans who protested the new map, crafted to wipe out the 2010 gains, because in states where the GOP controls the map — think Texas — they have used redis­tricting to throw out Democrats. “There are Republicans who were complaining about Illinois. This is like the arsonist hitting the fire alarm; it is just not credible,” he said.

Foster’s filing with the Federal Election Commission indicates that he plans to run in what will be the new 11th District, an oddly-shaped district resembling a genie coming out of a lamp. The district would include Joliet and Aurora, part of Foster’s old district. But state legislative leaders want Foster, a physicist and businessman, to run in an expansive new 14th district that includes his home in Batavia and runs from far north suburban Antioch and Harvard to southwest suburban Minooka. Democrats, who control both houses of the state Legislature, could approve the new congressional map Sunday.