Trial Ends in Illinois Redistricting Lawsuit

A trial to decide a Republican lawsuit over the state's new Democrat-drawn congressional map has ended in federal court in Chicago.

The decision now rests with a three-judge panel that promised to work "very hard.'' Deadlines are looming to file petitions for next year's U.S. House races, although the judges seem inclined to push them back.

Prominent Republicans, including all but one Republican congressman from Illinois, have sued to stop the Democrats' map. Republicans say it will decimate their recent gains in Congress and dilute Latino voting influence.

Attorneys representing the state defended the map and said it didn't deprive Latinos of their voting strength. They stressed Latino lawmakers and some interest groups support the new map.

The losing side can eventually appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.