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Republicans sue over Illinois legislative remap

A screen capture of the redistricting map from the Illinois House of Representatives approved by Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn on June 3, 2011. State Republicans are now suing to invalidate the map.
(Illinois House of Representatives via Google Maps)
A screen capture of the redistricting map from the Illinois House of Representatives approved by Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn on June 3, 2011. State Republicans are now suing to invalidate the map.

Top Illinois Republicans have sued to invalidate the state's new legislative district map drawn by Democrats.

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court, House Republican leader Tom Cross and Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno contend the map shortchanges blacks and Latinos and dilutes the voting strength of Republicans.

Democrats were in charge of the redistricting process because they control both the Legislature and the governor's office. Gov. Pat Quinn has signed the map into law.

Democrats have defended the map, but it's gotten mixed reviews from community groups. Some praised it for adequately reflecting the state's growing Latino population, while others say it could go further and also better maximize the black voting population in some districts.

The map could be redrawn if the lawsuit is successful.