Much Ado About the New Map (UPDATED WITH HOUSE MAP)

I was tied up yesterday, but while I was otherwise occupied, the Illinois Senate Democrats released their new District Map.

While many, especially Republicans, are flipping out about this, I would counsel people to take a breath. First of all, we have not yet seen the house map, and the two need to be reconciled.

More importantly, anyone redistricted out of their old district can run in a new one if any portion of the new district contains some of the old, if I understand the rules correctly. A winner would then have a certain period to move into the new district somewhere to be eligible to run for re-election.

So, campers, it's not the end of the world. And let's remember that the current map was also drawn by the Dems, and we've gained back some ground even in the State Senate, notably by booting Michael Bond.

So, let's see how things unfold. I have a lot of optimism that a re-energized GOP is going to do just fine in the next cycle, in spite of (or perhaps because) of the Obamawonder at the top of the ticket.

See many of you at the Federation Spring Gala tonight!

UPDATED: 5/21/11: We had a great night at the Republican Spring Gala last night, featuring RNC Chairman Reince Preibus (pictures will be coming soon), and we were surprised by the appearance of our GOP state legislators (Sid Mathias, Ed Sullivan, Jr., and Sandy Cole), who we hadn't expected to make it due to their being in session. Turns out, they canceled the session for the weekend, and sent all the legislators out of Springfield... and then they released the House map. Figures. So here it is. Here's some of the early reaction, from the Trib and the Illinois Statehouse News.