Illinois GOP facing long odds for gains in legislature

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Associated Press

Story Created: Sat Oct 13, 2012 1:56 PM

Story Updated: Sat Oct 13, 2012 1:56 PM

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.— Republicans seeking majority control of the Illinois General Assembly have several campaign issues. Unemployment is above 9 percent. Democrats have been in charge as budget and pension deficits soared.
   
But they also have to contend with a new legislative map drawn by Democrats to favor Democrats.
   
The GOP needs to pick up 12 seats - six in the House and six in the Senate - to win majority control of either house for the first time in a decade.
   
They're running against Democrats they say have overspent and shortchanged public pensions even after raising income taxes.
   
But their gains two years ago - during a landslide year for Republicans nationally - were relatively small. This year there's an unfavorable map and home-state President Barack Obama leading the ticket.