WASHINGTON--Illinois Democrats control the remap process and the congressional map made public on Friday is designed to protect Democratic incumbents and force Republican incumbents to run against each other in 2012. The stakes are high: Illinois will have to drop one House seat in 2012 because of population losses found in the 2010 Census. Illinois Republicans in 2010 won the most seats they have had in years: Illinois sends 11 Republicans and eight Democrats to Washington. I'm working with Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney on the story--click here to read it here.

All 11 Illinois GOP House members are howling and said in a joint statement: "This proposal appears to be little more than an attempt to undo the results of the elections held just six months ago and we will take whatever steps necessary to achieve a map that more fairly represents the people of Illinois - they deserve nothing less."

(entire statement below)

3. The newly created 10th District is designed to yield a Democratic win.

DOUBLE DIPPER DAN: Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) is the only Democratic double dipper: He not only gets to keep a solid Democratic district, but the house of the Democratic who is already running against him, John Atkinson, was drawn out of the district. Atkinson is weighing his options.

ILLINOIS GOP HOUSE MEMBERS STATEMENT.....

Statement of the Republican U.S. House Members from Illinois on Democrats' Proposed Redistricting Map

The Republican members of the Illinois Congressional delegation today issued the following statement in response to the release of a proposal to re-draw the boundaries of Congressional districts in Illinois.

"Under the cover of darkness, the Democrats in Springfield proposed a new Congressional map that was drawn without any input from Republicans or any consideration for the hours of testimony offered at public hearings this spring. We are very concerned that this proposal does not fairly represent the significant growth that has occurred in the Hispanic community. The proposed map carves up towns and communities with little regard to the values and beliefs of the people who live there.

"This proposal appears to be little more than an attempt to undo the results of the elections held just six months ago and we will take whatever steps necessary to achieve a map that more fairly represents the people of Illinois - they deserve nothing less."

Rep. Judy Biggert (Il-13) Rep. Peter Roskam (Il-6)

Rep. Robert Dold (Il-10) Rep. Bobby Schilling (Il-17)

Rep. Randy Hultgren (Il-14) Rep. Aaron Schock (Il-18)

Rep. Timothy Johnson (Il-15) Rep. John Shimkus (Il-19)

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Il-11) Rep. Joe Walsh (Il-8)

Rep. Don Manzullo (Il-16)