South Central Reporter

Partial data for the 2020 U.S. Census has been reported, and as a result of Illinois experiencing a population drop for the first time in 200 years, the state is losing a seat in Congress.

In an April 26 WGN News report, state Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Pawnee) joined her Republican colleague state Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Springfield) in criticizing the legislative behaviors that have gotten the Prairie State to this point. 

"None of our Midwestern neighbors lost their population," Bourne pointed out. 

Spain added that the population decline and the consequential loss of a seat in Congress is a sign that Illinois is on a decline in national power

"High taxes, business unfriendliness, these very issues that have been dominated by the Democratic majority in the State of Illinois for decades have real consequences," Spain said. 

Illinois is one of only three states to have lost population, WGN reported, and it lost the second highest amount in the nation behind only West Virginia; the state's number of congressional districts will drop to 17 from 18. 

Illinois Policy pointed to the state's history of poor public policy for the lack of competitive housing and employment opportunities compared to Illinois' neighboring states and beyond. The policy organization reported that nearly half of all residents have considered moving out of state, citing high taxes being the driving reason. 

While the data recently released is not complete and the detailed numbers needed for redistricting the state's legislative borders are not ready, Democrats are shouldering forward with their plan to use what data is available to get a final draft of the new districts on Pritzker's desk by June 30, while Republicans rally for an independent redistricting commission to take on the task instead of politicians. 

Unless the governor follows through on his campaign promise to veto a partisan map, one of the state's Republican districts is likely to be eliminated.