Sangamon Sun

 State Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) is looking for nicknames for the new place he hopes to call home.

“Any nickname suggestions on the shape of the new 95th?” Butler recently posted on Facebook. “We have had a lot of questions about the new 95th; the district in which I'll be running for election under the (gerrymandered) new legislative maps for the November 2022 election.”

Now serving his fourth term in the 87th District, Butler recently launched his campaign in the new district by vowing to continue doing what he always has.

“I look forward to running in this new district and to continue to serve as your voice at the State Capitol,” he said.

The Sangamon Sun reports Butler recently made news by speaking out against the new system of subcircuit maps created by Democratic lawmakers for Cook County. The changes call for the number of subcircuits in Cook County to increase from 15 to 20, with supporters arguing the plan is meant to better reflect population growth across the Chicagoland area.

Butler has branded the plan a “farce,” arguing that it would bring more politics to the judicial selection process. The veteran lawmaker has also called attention to what he sees as Democrats' efforts to rush it through.

“If these aren’t going to be effective until 2024, then what is the rush?” the Sangamon Sun reported Butler said during a Dec. 16 hearing on the issue. “You said we needed to get these done as soon as possible, but if these aren’t effective until 2024, that gives us the 2022 session and the 2023 session that could take advantage of this. The 2023 general assembly could have a totally different makeup than we have today.”

In November, 31 new circuit judges were elected in Cook County, up from 15, with the plan ultimately calling for 11 to be elected from each district.