Republican Lawsuit on Legislative Map Dismissed

Judges have thrown out a Republican lawsuit challenging a Democrat-drawn map of new state legislative districts.

A panel of federal judges in Chicago yesterday dismissed the suit filed by top Illinois Republicans.

House Republican leader Tom Cross and Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno sued because they contend the Democrat-drawn map is unfair to minority groups and GOP voters. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed the new map into law in June.

Drawing a new legislative district map is an exercise the state goes through every 10 years after a census. Democrats were in charge because they control the General Assembly and the governor's office.

Republicans are reviewing their options and whether to appeal. A Republican challenge to the state's new congressional districts map is still pending.