Politics & Government

Analysis: New Lenox Reps to Get a lot More Democratic

The deadline for state House and Senate candidates to file for the election was Monday, and the only contested race for New Lenox voters is one between three Democrats.

Like it or not, three-quarters of the conservative-leaning New Lenox's state representation will be Democrats following the 2012 election.

The deadline for state House and Senate candidates to file for the election was Monday, and the only contested race for New Lenox voters is one between three Democrats.

States are required to redraw district maps every 10 years to reflect population shifts based off the 2010 Census, and as a result New Lenox will have two new state senators and one new House representative.

Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Rep. Renee Kosel (R-New Lenox) is the only candidate to have filed in the 37th House District, meaning she'll still represent local voters. But that's where the familiarity ends.

Because of population growth, New Lenox added a state Senate and state House seat, both representing voters primarily south of Laraway Road. In the 80th House District, which covers New Lenox, Frankfort and Chicago Heights, among other villages, Rep. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) was the only candidate to file and will thus end up representing New Lenox.

Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The story is the same in the Senate: Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields) will run for re-election without opposition and represent voters south of Laraway. Her district covers parts New Lenox and Frankfort, as well as Chicago Heights and south to Kankakee.

The only contested state legislative race for local voters is the 19th Senate District. Right now, we're represented by Minority Leader Christine Radogno, but her district is shifting north. Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest) will run for re-election but faces a primary againt two other Democrats: Michael Hastings (Orland Hills) and Gregory Hannon (Tinley Park). This district covers a majority of New Lenox, as well as some of Frankfort, Mokena, Orland, Tinley and Oak Forest.

New Lenox could also add a Democratic congressman who would replace Tea Party favorite Adam Kinzinger (R-Manteno). State Republicans have filed suit against the newly drawn congressional maps, and the . But if the map holds up in court, it would extend the 1st District of longtime incumbent Bobby Rush (D-Chicago) through the south suburbs, including Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox.


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