Illinois' 10th congressional district

Infobox U.S. congressional district
state = Illinois
district number = 10

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image width = 300px
image caption = The 10th congressional district of Illinois
representative = Mark Kirk
party = Republican
english area =
metric area =
percent urban =
percent rural =
population = 653,647
population year = 2000
median income = 38,722
percent white = 81.2
percent black = 5.4
percent asian = 5.8
percent native american = 0.2
percent hispanic = 12.3
percent other race = 1.7
percent blue collar =
percent white collar =
percent gray collar =
cpvi = D + 4

The 10th Congressional District of Illinois lies in the northeast corner of the state and mostly comprises northern suburbs of Chicago. It was created after the 1860 census. It has been represented by Republican Mark Kirk since 2001.

District characteristics

Politics

The area of the district was originally represented by one of Abraham Lincoln's closest allies, Elihu B. Washburne (R-Waukegan). The current district was created in its current form in the 1982 redistricting out of districts represented by John Porter (R-Wilmette) and Robert McClory (R-Lake Bluff). On the retirement of McClory, the district was represented by Porter (R-IL) after winning the elections of 1982, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, and 98. Following Porter's retirement, 11 Republicans and two Democrats ran to succeed him. Eventually 9 Republicans and one Democrat stood for election in the primary of March 2000. John Porter's former Chief of Staff, Mark Kirk, handily won the Republican primary over number two rival Shaun Donnely. The Chicago Tribune noted that Kirk was outspent by his rivals 15 to one but prevailed against much better-funded opponents. Kirk then defeated State Representative Lauren Beth Gash (D-Highland Park) 51-49 in the 2000 general election.

Kirk developed a reputation as a moderate and was cited by Congressional Quarterly as one of the "28 Emerging Leaders of Congress."Fact|date=April 2008 Unopposed in the 2002 primary, Kirk handily defeated Democrat Hank Perritt in the general election by 69-31%. Kirk also defeated Democrat Lee Goodman in 2004 by a vote of 64-36%. In 2006, Kirk was not challenged in the 2006 primary. Democrat Dan Seals defeated Zane Smith in the primary only to lose the general election to Kirk 47-53%. Seals' campaign was plagued by an investigation into campaign fundraising on State of Illinois computers by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (Chicago Tribune, October 23, 2006).Fact|date=April 2008 Despite 2006 being a Democratic year, Seals' challenge ranked below the top 50 in races for Congress.Fact|date=April 2008

2008 election

For the 2008 congressional race, Dan Seals defeated Clinton Advisor Jay Footlik for the 2008 Democratic nomination. Dave Kalbfleisch [http://www.electdave.org/] received the Green Party nomination, but was removed from the ballot by the Illinois State Board of Elections. [http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/news/1001476,pp-greenparty-061208-s1.article] Independent candidate Allan Stevo [http://www.StevoForCongress.com here] is challenging both Mark Kirk and Dan Seals on their numerous unconstitutional policies.

2006 election

Republican candidate for Governor, Judy Baar Topinka, and Cook County GOP candidate for President Tony Perica both handily won the district in 2006.

2004 Presidential Election

John Kerry carried this district with 52% of the vote in 2004. [ [http://www.cqpolitics.com/06map.html cqpolitics.com] ]

Economy

The 10th is home to several Fortune 500 Companies, including but not limited to: CDW, Walgreen's, Underwriters Laboratories, Baxter Healthcare, Abbott Laboratories, Allstate Insurance, and Household International. It is also home to the world headquarters of the food giant Kraft Foods in Northfield.

Tourism

A few tourist drawing areas include:

—Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, a performing arts venue with a seating area and lawns for picnicking;

—Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe;

—Bahá'í Temple in Wilmette;

—The Genesee Theatre in Waukegan;

—Illinois Beach State Park near Zion;

—Lambs Farm in Libertyville

Military

The Great Lakes Naval Training Center near North Chicago, the largest training facility for the United States Navy, hosting 30,000 men and women each year.

Etc.

The Illinois' 10th is the home of the Chicago Bulls practice facility, the Berto Center in Deerfield, as well as the practice facility of the Chicago Bears, Halas Hall in Lake Forest.

Cities and towns represented

The 10th includes most of northern Cook County, Illinois and southern and eastern Lake County, Illinois. Major municipalities include Arlington Heights, Palatine,Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Glencoe, Glenview, Gurnee, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, North Chicago, Northbrook, Northfield, Vernon Hills, Waukegan, Wheeling, Wilmette, and Winnetka.

History of district boundaries

List of Representatives

Recent election results

References

External links

* [http://projects.washingtonpost.com/elections/keyraces/census/il/district-10/ "Washington Post" page on the 10th District of Illinois]
* [http://fastfacts.census.gov/servlet/CWSFacts?_event=ChangeGeoContext&geo_id=50000US1710&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US17%7C50000US1709&_street=&_county=&_cd=50000US1710&_cityTown=&_state=04000US17&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=500&_content=&_keyword=&_industry= U.S. Census Bureau - 10th District Fact Sheet]