Redistricting occurs every 10 years in Illinois and is based upon the U.S. Census taken in years ending in "0.” The General Assembly uses those census figures to draw new legislative districts for state senators and representatives. State legislatures are also responsible for drawing new congressional boundaries for U.S. Representatives.
Nearly all legislative boundaries change as the result of population shifts, so you may be in a new legislative district beginning next year. These interactive maps from the Illinois State Board of Elections depict the new legislative districts. By entering your address, you can determine your new legislative district effective beginning in 2013.
Although the new districts were not effective until 2013, legislators were first elected to office in these new districts at the General Election held on November 6, 2012. Candidates in the new legislative districts first appeared on General Primary ballots on March 20, 2012, to determine who would receive their parties' nomination for the fall General Election. However, winning candidates for the new districts did not take office until January 9, 2013, so the old legislative districts that were in effect at the November 2010 General Election remained in effect through that date.
2010 – U.S. Census taken; legislators elected under old districts
2011 – General Assembly approves new district maps that will be effective in 2013
2012 – Legislators run for office and elected in new districts, but continue to represent old districts
2013 – Legislators elected in 2012 in new districts take office; old districts expire.