Illinois's 10th congressional district

Illinois's 10th congressional district is a U.S. House district located in the northeastern part of the State of Illinois. It is currently represented by Democrat Brad Schneider, who has served since 2017. The district encompasses affluent northern Chicago suburbs along the shore of Lake Michigan, including areas of Lake County and northern Cook County.

History

The district's boundaries have shifted significantly over the decades due to redistricting following each United States Census. For much of the late 20th century, it was a classic Republican suburban stronghold, represented by figures like John Porter. Following the 2000 United States Census, a Democratic-led remap significantly altered its composition, pulling in more Democratic-leaning areas. This change was pivotal in the 2004 election of Mark Kirk, a moderate Republican who later became a United States Senator. The district was redrawn again after the 2010 United States Census by the Illinois General Assembly, making it more favorable to Democrats, which contributed to the election of Brad Schneider in 2012. The most recent redistricting after the 2020 United States Census further consolidated its Democratic lean.

Geography

As of 2023, the district covers a swath of the North Shore suburbs along Lake Michigan. It includes all or parts of numerous municipalities in Lake County and northern Cook County. Major population centers include Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Glenview, and Waukegan. The district is characterized by affluent residential communities, corporate headquarters, and significant natural features like the Chicago Botanic Garden and portions of the Des Plaines River.

Demographics

The district is one of the wealthiest and most highly educated in Illinois. It has a high median household income and a large percentage of residents with advanced degrees from institutions like Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. Ethnically, the population is predominantly non-Hispanic white, with significant and growing Asian American and Hispanic communities. Religious diversity is notable, with substantial Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant populations. The district's economy is closely tied to the broader Chicago metropolitan area, with major employers in sectors like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.

Recent election results

The district has become a reliably Democratic seat in recent federal elections. In the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden carried the district by a significant margin over Donald Trump. In the 2022 House election, incumbent Brad Schneider defeated Republican challenger Joseph Severino. The district's Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of D+9 reflects its strong Democratic tilt in the current political era, a shift from its historically competitive nature.

List of representatives

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Representative ! Party ! Years ! Congress ! Notes |- | John C. McKenzie | Republican | 1915–1925 | 64th–68th | First representative after district's creation. |- | William R. Johnson | Republican | 1925–1933 | 69th–72nd | |- | James Simpson Jr. | Republican | 1933–1935 | 73rd | Served one term. |- | Ralph E. Church | Republican | 1935–1941 | 74th–76th | |- | George A. Paddock | Republican | 1941–1943 | 77th | |- | Ralph E. Church | Republican | 1943–1951 | 78th–81st | Returned to the seat. |- | Richard W. Hoffman | Republican | 1951–1957 | 82nd–84th | |- | Harold R. Collier | Republican | 1957–1975 | 85th–93rd | Served nine terms. |- | Abner J. Mikva | Democratic | 1975–1979 | 94th–95th | Later served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. |- | John Porter | Republican | 1980–2001 | 96th–106th | Served for over two decades. |- | Mark Kirk | Republican | 2001–2010 | 107th–111th | Resigned after being elected to the United States Senate. |- | Robert Dold | Republican | 2011–2013 | 112th | Defeated after one term. |- | Brad Schneider | Democratic | 2013–2015 | 113th | First term. |- | Robert Dold | Republican | 2015–2017 | 114th | Regained the seat. |- | Brad Schneider | Democratic | 2017–present | 115th–present | Incumbent. |}

Category:Illinois's congressional districts