A delay in the availability of crucial 2020 census data is dividing state legislators and residents as they look to remap Illinois’ congressional districts in a legislative year that’s been anything but ordinary. Typically, the Illinois General Assembly convenes every 10 years to draw new legislative maps for state and federal legislative districts after the release of U.S census data. However, the release of the 2020 census numbers that’s needed for states to draw maps was delayed until Aug. 16. The stakes are high. Earlier this week, the U.S. Census Bureau released initial 2020 census state population numbers, announcing Illinois will lose one seat in the House of Representatives. Since the census determines federal funding disbursement, among other issues, these results are a significant loss for the state.