Democrats Maintain Edge in Illinois Legislature

(Chicago Sun Times) — Democrats were poised to retain their majorities in the Illinois House and Senate on Tuesday night, though they appeared on track to lose several seats to Republicans.  Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) was at risk of losing his party’s three-fifths, veto-proof majority, in part because a Downstate incumbent was losing. Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville) was trailing Republican Sam McCann by four percentage points, with 94 percent of precincts reporting, according to unofficial totals. Democrats, however, retained the Northwest Side seat once held by retired Sen. James DeLeo (D-Chicago). Attorney John Mulroe, who was appointed to fill the seat late in DeLeo’s term, defeated Chicago Ald. Brian Doherty (41st). In another race, Sen. Michael Noland (D-Elgin) narrowly led former Republican Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, who gave up the seat in 2005 to run for governor.

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