Schilling latest Illinois Republican to lose House race

Freshman Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Ill.) has been defeated by Democrat Cheri Bustos, making him the latest Illinois Republican to fall this election.

Schilling was a redistricting target of Illinois Democrats, and ran a strong campaign — but it fell short. Bustos led by 53 to 47 percent with 82 percent of precincts reporting.

His loss is the latest good news for Illinois Democrats and one of the few bright spots for House Democrats, whose redistricting map has worked well so far.

Democrats have already defeated Reps. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) and Judy Biggert (R-Ill.), and held onto a southern Illinois seat left open by Rep. Jerry Costello's (D-Ill.) retirement. Rep. Robert Dold (R-Ill.) trails his opponent by 1 percentage point with 99 percent of precincts reporting, though Republican Rodney Davis is holding on in a toss-up southern Illinois seat left open by retiring Rep. Tim Johnson (R-Ill.).

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