More New Trier Township voters have been folded into Illinois’ 18th House District represented by freshman State Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-18th, under a new legislative map that was sent to Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk Friday.
Gabel’s 18th House District, which has included most of Evanston and New Trier townships, is extended farther north into Glencoe and stretches to the west, taking in larger portions of Glenview, Northfield and Northbrook. A smaller portion of Glencoe will fall within the 58th Illinois House District represented by Karen May and the 29th Illinois Senate District of Susan Garrett (D-29).
Those voters in west Glencoe who were part of the 17th House District represented by Daniel Biss are now part of the 18th District.
The 18th district was represented by State Rep. Julie Hamos for more than a decade, but Hamos opted not to seek re-election in 2010, choosing instead to make a primary run for the 10th Congressional District. She lost to Dan Seals, who in turn lost to Republican Robert Dold in the November general election.
The 18th Illinois House District seat has been held by Gabel since May 2010.
Under the new map, the 17th Illinois House District also picks up more of Wilmette and Evanston, while ceding some of its territory in Glenview and Northbrook to the 18th District. The 17th District seat shifted Democratic in the November election. Republican Elizabeth Coulson, who held the seat for more than a decade, ran for the 10th Congressional District seat and lost in the primary.
In his second run for the Coulson seat, Biss defeated first-time candidate Hamilton Chang.
Districts must be redrawn after each 10-year federal census to adjust for population changes and ensure equal representation.
