Even though we have not yet seen the final map that Illinois Democrats are poised to impose upon their arch enemies, the Republicans, reaction and analysis from those intensely interested in politics are coming in.

Below is what a northern Kane County observer sees in the map:

I saw your write up on the Blog concerning the proposed/draft districts for McHenry County.

Here is some additional information you may find useful starting with the poposed 33rd senate district. Given how these districts involve Kane County, a little insight from south of the county line from this Friend of the Blog may become an ongoing occurrence, over time.

This is the proposed 33rd State Senate District. It streches frrom Crystal Lake through western Lake in the Hills, eastern Huntley, Algonquin, down around the sourthern part of Elgin all the way into DuPage County. There is no obvious incumbent.

The dividing line within the 33rd Senate district between the 2 House districts (65th, 66th) runs along a line from the western border of the 33rd senate along Marengo Road, then east-west along Main St. in Huntley right to the border with Lake in the Hills, with the 65th district to the south and 66th to the north. From there, the line turns south, crossing into Kane County and following the precinct boundary line between Rutland precincts 8 in the 65th to the west and precinct 1 in the 66th on the east side. After crossing the Jane Addams Tollway [I-90], the precinct boundary on the district lines becomes Precinct 6 in District 66 and precinct 2 in District 65 all the way to Big Timber Road. Then, Big Timber Road, east into Precinct 6 becomes the dividing line, splitting Rutland Precinct 5 continuing east into the Elgin area.

While the 33rd Senate district and the 2 House districts are compact, these boundaries split several municipalities.

Within the proposed 66th House District, the entire villages of Gilberts, West Dundee and Sleepy Hollow are included.

Additionally, portions of the cities of Crystal Lake and Elgin, and portions of the villages of Algonquin, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Lakewood, and unincorporated Algonquin and Grafton Townships in McHenry County, and Dundee and Rutland townships in Kane County.

The 65th House District includes the entire villages of Hampshire, Pingree Grove and South Elgin, and portions of the cities of Elgin, St. Charles, and portions of the villages of Bartlett, Huntley (all of Sun City), Wayne, and unincorporated Grafton Township in McHenry County, and unincorporated Hampshire, Plato, Rutland, Elgin townships in Kane County, and a portion of Hanover Township in Cook County.

Concerning State Representative Tim Schmitz, who currently represents northern Kane County, including Algonquin and Huntley, his 49th district was drawn by the Democrats to include State Representative Michael Fortner of West Chicago.

As you’re aware, legally, Schmitz could run for re-election in either the 66th district, or the 65th district, or even the 52nd district, since his current district includes territory within those 3 districts. Of course, if he wins, he’d have to move into the district, which includes taking his family out of Batavia. I believe Schmitz’s kids are still in Batavia schools, so Schmitz moving to represent either the 65th or 66th district is likely, not going to happen.

There is rumor State Senator Chris Lauzen may run for Kane County Board Chairman in next year’s at-large county board chairman’s race, which means Chris would have to give up his safe 25th senate district, and will make Tim Schmitz/Michael Fortner problem go away, since Schmitz would likely move to run for senate to replace Lauzen, and Fortner would run for re-election in the 49th.

The 26th senate district/52nd Senate district within Kane County is quite interesting.

The proposed 26th State Senate District, which it is presumed State Senator Dan Duffy will seek.

The dividing line between the 26th and 33rd proposed map in Kane County is Sleepy Hollow Road, following the original Sleepy Hollow Road alignment in Carpentersville. At Huntley Road, the boundary shifts to the east, with 26th on the north and 33rd on the south. At the Fox River, the boundary stays on Main Street, turns north slightly, and divides old town Carpentersville along Maple Avenue, effectively splitting old town. At the east end of Carpenter Park, Michael Noland’s 22nd senate district is the boundary, and the 26th district turns north, and includes old town Carpentersville, Lake Marian, and the Kane County portions Algonquin, as well as Carpentersville following the precinct lines of Dundee 24 and 35.

As for prospective candidates for these races involving the districts which cross county lines, particularly the open seats, some of them could be very intriguing. I agree with you, let’s wait until a map is formally approved before names begin to be floated, and to help you document on the blog,