Report: New Congressional Map Takes Burr Ridge Democrat Out of the Running

The Chicago Tribune reports that a Burr Ridge Democrat, who had been planning to run for Congress is now out of the race. Earlier this year, John Atkinson had raised $535,000 in order to challenge Southwest Side Rep. Dan Lipinkski (D-3rd.)

The Democrats' redrawing of the state's political borders following last year's census, however, has drawn Atkinson into the newly formed 11th Congressional District that spans from New Lenox and Joliet north, through Bolingbrook and includes Burr Ridge on the northeast and Aurora on the northwest.

Atkinson said this in a statement on his campaign website Wednesday:

"I have been honored and humbled by the outpouring of support that my wife, Bonnie, and I received as we explored a run for Congress. Although I originally sought to run in the 3rd Congressional District, my family now lives in the 11th Congressional District under the new Congressional map—and I just wasn't comfortable running in a district where I do not live."

Although the Democrats' redistricting map has not been signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn yet, Atkinson said he is now shifting efforts to back former 14th District Congressman Bill Foster for the 11th Congressional District. You can read more on this story in the Chicago Tribune here.