 The figure totals more than two dozen when compared with four years
ago if lawmakers who retired before the 2010 elections or resigned
to run for other offices are included. The State Journal-Register
reported Monday that 10 of the 59 Illinois Senate members are
retiring, five Democrats and five Republicans. Ten of the 118
Illinois House members are retiring, seven Democrats and three
Republicans. According to political experts, the turnover isn't
surprising because it's typical to see retirements when districts
are redrawn following the U.S. census.Legislators are leaving for
many reasons, including to run for higher office, to retire, to
spend time with family or to take private-sector jobs.
But the turnover is higher than a decade ago, said Kent Redfield,
emeritus professor of political science at the University of
Illinois Springfield. The new map was drawn by Democrats, who
dominate the General Assembly.
"The Legislature is more centralized than it used to be,"
Redfield said. "This is a particularly difficult map for the Senate
Republicans."
Of the 20 retirees, a dozen are Democrats. Redfield said that's
not surprising.
"Clearly there have been people leaving because it's not that fun
to be in the General Assembly," Redfield said. "I think if you're
ambitious and it's not clear you're ever going to be speaker (of the
House) -- there's certainly some of that (as a factor)."
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Earlier this month, state Sen. Jeffery Schoenberg, a Democrat
from Evanston, announced his retirement. Schoenberg will work for
Chicago's billionaire Pritzker family. Schoenberg said the tone in
Springfield has become increasingly partisan since he took office.
"But I also understand that there's a great deal of not just
anxiety, but genuine fear that people have over the current economic
situation and worrying about the stability of their employment, the
ability to stay in their homes and provide for their families,"
Schoenberg said.
House Minority Leader Tom Cross has the fewest number of retiring
caucus members.
"We have a lot of young men and women. I think that's part of
it," Cross said.
[Associated Press]
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