McHenry County's two Republican representatives in the U.S. House are running for re-election in 2012.
But veteran Rep. Don Manzullo and freshman Rep. Joe Walsh are waiting to decide which district to run in until they see what happens with the controversial Democratic remapping of the state's congressional districts.
Walsh announced Friday that he intends to run for a second term – he beat three-term incumbent Melissa Bean for the present 8th Congressional District seat by 291 votes. But his McHenry home under the map will be in the 14th District, represented by freshman Republican Rep. Randy Hultgren.
"With all this confusion, I need to inform you of two things. First, I want you to know that I am entirely focused on the 8th district. I continue to tour the district, hold numerous town halls and meet with my constituents. Second, I am 100 percent committed to running for re-election to continue the work that you sent me here to do," Walsh announced in a statement.
Unlike the General Assembly, congressional candidates do not have to live in the districts they represent.
Under the map awaiting Gov. Pat Quinn's signature, all of McHenry County except Algonquin Township will fall under the 14th District, which would cover parts of all collar counties, as well as much of Kendall and part of DeKalb counties. While Manzullo's home is still in the 16th District he has represented since 1993, the district will no longer include McHenry County, but cover 14 counties in a loop around the Chicago metro area from Winnebago and Boone counties to the Indiana border.
The map, drawn by Illinois Senate Democrats, is clearly aimed at eliminating suburban Republican gains made in November as part of the tea party movement that helped the GOP regain control of the U.S. House. Most first-term Republicans are either paired with each other – such as Walsh and Hultgren – or drawn into districts with veteran Democratic incumbents.
Because the Democratic Party controls the General Assembly and the governor's office, they were able to redraw state and congressional districts without Republican input.
State lawmakers must redraw state and federal legislative districts every 10 years after the U.S. census.
The map will very likely be challenged in court by the Republicans upon its approval by Quinn.
Pending the outcome, Manzullo is not discussing his options short of running for another term, spokesman Rich Carter said. Manzullo filed his statement of candidacy earlier this year.
Both Carter and Walsh spokesman Justin Roth said a decision of where their candidates would run with a court challenge looming was premature.
"We don't think this map is going to stand," Carter said.
