WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

New Republican congressmen Allen West of Florida and Tim Scott of South Carolina have drawn plenty of attention as the first two GOP African Americans to fill House seats since Julius Caesar Watts Jr.

Good morning and welcome to 2011.

Illinois may be losing a Congressional seat, but new census figures could be good news for the state’s Latinos. A U.S. Census Bureau estimate for 2009 suggests the number of Latinos in the state had grown by almost 440,000 since 2000.

The loss of a Congressional seat for Illinois means the state could lose out on federal dollars. Data from the 2010 Census show that Illinois has been growing more slowly than states in the south and west.

Illinois will lose one of its Congressional seats because its population hasn’t grown as fast as southern and western states. In the wake of that news, the redistricting battle begins. As early as next February, the census bureau will provide detailed population data for Illinois.

Illinois will find out Tuesday if, as expected, the state will lose a seat in the U.S. House. U.S. Census officials will release population numbers.The 435 seats in the House are split up among the states every ten years using Census data.

The bill to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy has passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. The plan would allow gays to serve openly in the military.Illinois Representative Judy Biggert was one of only 15 Republicans in the House to vote in favor of the repeal.