Illinois's 3rd congressional district

Illinois's 3rd congressional district is a U.S. House district located in northeastern Illinois. It encompasses parts of Cook County and DuPage County, including southwestern Chicago neighborhoods and many western suburbs. The district is currently represented by Democrat Delia Ramirez, who was first elected in the 2022 election.

History

The district was created following the 1870 Census and first elected a member to the 43rd Congress in 1873. Its boundaries and political character have shifted significantly over time, historically covering areas like Rock Island and Moline before modern redistricting. A key historical figure was William E. Hull, a Republican who represented the district for over a decade during the Great Depression. Following the 2000 Census, the district was redrawn into a heavily Democratic seat centered on Chicago's Southwest Side, represented by Bill Lipinski and later his son, Dan Lipinski. The 2021 redistricting process, controlled by the Democratic state legislature, significantly altered the district again, making it the state's first Latino-majority district and extending it into more of DuPage County.

List of members representing the district

Members of the United States House of Representatives from this district include early figures like John B. Hawley and Lawrence E. McGann. In the 20th century, notable representatives included William W. Arnold and Fred E. Busbey. The political control of the district changed hands several times, with Timothy P. Sheehan serving as a Republican in the 1950s. The modern Democratic era began with the election of Marty Russo in 1974. He was succeeded by Bill Lipinski in 1983, who held the seat until his retirement in 2005. His son, Dan Lipinski, a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, then held the seat until his defeat in the 2020 Democratic primary by Marie Newman. Newman served one term before losing the redrawn district to Delia Ramirez in 2022.

Election results

Election results have varied with the district's changing composition. For much of the late 20th century, it was a Democratic stronghold, with incumbents like Marty Russo and Bill Lipinski often facing only token opposition. The 2008 election saw Dan Lipinski win with over 70% of the vote. However, the district became more competitive in Democratic primaries due to ideological shifts, exemplified by Marie Newman's narrow primary loss in 2018 and her subsequent victory in 2020. The 2022 election in the newly drawn district was won decisively by Delia Ramirez over Republican candidate Justin Burau.

Recent election results

In the 2020 election, then-representative Dan Lipinski lost the Democratic primary to challenger Marie Newman. Newman went on to win the general election against Republican Mike Fricilone. Following redistricting, the 2022 election featured a new Democratic primary between Marie Newman and Delia Ramirez, which Ramirez won. She then defeated Justin Burau in the November general election with approximately 67% of the vote. The 2024 election is expected to be contested, with Ramirez seeking re-election.

Demographics

Following the 2021 redistricting, the district has a Latino majority, estimated at over 50% of the population, with significant communities in areas like Humboldt Park and Berwyn. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the district is approximately 60% White, 25% Hispanic, 6% Asian, and 5% Black. Key municipalities within the district include parts of Chicago, Cicero, Elmhurst, and Addison. The district's median household income is slightly above the national average, and it contains major institutions like Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Trinity Christian College.

Category:Illinois's congressional districts