A three-judge federal panel on Tuesday tossed Illinois Democrats initial state legislative redistricting plan, which was based on population estimates, saying the plan was unconstitutional because it violated federal equal protection guarantees.

       The judges also allowed challenges to proceed on the revised plan for the state’s 177 General Assembly boundaries, which was drawn by drawn by Democrats using more definitive federal census data and approved last month.

       Democrats during their Spring session moved ahead with the initial map using population estimates to beat a June 30 deadline and maintain their advantage in the General Assembly.

       Rod Wilson of United Congress of Community and Religious organizations, speaks to media during a press conference outside the Thompson Center, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. As the Illinois House and Senate passed new redistricting maps, community members organized by the non -partisan United Congress of Community and Religious organizations, urge Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto the maps. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

       While the judicial panel faulted Democrats for failing to wait for actual census figures, it rejected Republican efforts to force a map to be redrawn by a commission that could lead to the GOP taking control of the redistricting process.

       The U.S. District Court panel said the Democrat-led General Assembly deserved “another bite at the apple” in passing a revised map, but also said that it will allow court challenges to that map by Republicans and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, who have alleged federal voting rights law violations.

       [Most read] If COVID-19 cases keep dropping, Pritzker wants to ‘remove certain mask mandates’ in time for the holidays ？

       Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons.

       Though Democratic lawmakers passed and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the updated map last month, they did not repeal the earlier estimated-population map approved in May.

       That prompted concerns that if the new map was ruled unconstitutional, the earlier map using population estimates would take effect. The court said it needed to rule on the unconstitutionality of the original map to prevent that from happening.

       rap30@aol.com

       Federal panel tosses initial Democratic state legislative map, allows challenges to revised map to continue

       49m

       2 states and Washington, D.C., removed from Chicago COVID-19 travel advisory

       3h

       Coronavirus If COVID-19 cases keep dropping, Pritzker wants to ‘remove certain mask mandates’ in time for the holidays

       4h

       Breaking News Elgin man held without bail after shooting Chicago police officer in cheek, saying ‘You will die,’ prosecutors say

       1h

       Horoscopes Daily horoscope for October 19, 2021

       12:00 AM