Election gives IL GOP an opportunity to take over
Updated: October 15, 2012
SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Republicans are hoping to win enough seats to take control. They're only a few seats away, but have some big obstacles to overcome.
The upcoming election is unique because every seat in the General Assembly is up for grabs. That means there is a better chance this year we could see a major shift from the left to the right.
The Illinois General Assembly changes all the time. There is an election every two years, so it is a revolving door of fresh faces. But, the ruling party has not changed in years. Democrats have been on top in the House all but two years since the early 80's. In the Senate, they have been the majority for almost a decade. This year is a little different though. All 177 seats are open.
"You've got a lot of people running, a lot of new candidates," says UIS political professor Kent Redfield, "It certainly presents an opportunity for the Republicans to make some gains."
The biggest thing standing in the GOP's way is a map. Democrats got to redraw the districts in their favor last year.
"I would be surprised if the Republicans took back either the House or the Senate, but we're only talking about swinging six seats," Redfield says.
Redfield says it is not impossible for them to do.
"In Illinois you would probably need a wave election where it's a very good night for Republicans from the top of the ticket on down," he says.
A close national election could mean closer races in Illinois. But Redfield says if Republicans do take over Springfield, it could spell disaster.
"That would mean a lot more compromise or it would mean gridlock," he says.
An election like this where all seats are on the line happens every ten years when the map is redrawn.
The upcoming election is unique because every seat in the General Assembly is up for grabs. That means there is a better chance this year we could see a major shift from the left to the right.
The Illinois General Assembly changes all the time. There is an election every two years, so it is a revolving door of fresh faces. But, the ruling party has not changed in years. Democrats have been on top in the House all but two years since the early 80's. In the Senate, they have been the majority for almost a decade. This year is a little different though. All 177 seats are open.
"You've got a lot of people running, a lot of new candidates," says UIS political professor Kent Redfield, "It certainly presents an opportunity for the Republicans to make some gains."
The biggest thing standing in the GOP's way is a map. Democrats got to redraw the districts in their favor last year.
"I would be surprised if the Republicans took back either the House or the Senate, but we're only talking about swinging six seats," Redfield says.
Redfield says it is not impossible for them to do.
"In Illinois you would probably need a wave election where it's a very good night for Republicans from the top of the ticket on down," he says.
A close national election could mean closer races in Illinois. But Redfield says if Republicans do take over Springfield, it could spell disaster.
"That would mean a lot more compromise or it would mean gridlock," he says.
An election like this where all seats are on the line happens every ten years when the map is redrawn.
