One of the consequences of Governor Pat Quinn's laser-like focus on Chicago and Cook County during this fall's campaign was that he won just 20 to 22 of the state's 59 Senate districts, according to recent estimates by the Illinois Senate Democrats. That's not even close to half.
There's been plenty of hand-wringing in the Downstate media about the fact that Quinn only won three counties in their region, which comprises the vast majority of the state's geography. That's mostly irrelevant as far as statewide races go; a win's a win, period.
But it is legitimate to look at the totals when it comes to legislative districts. The lack of public support in a majority of districts can have a major impact on the coming legislative session, especially because Quinn lost quite a few Democrat-held districts by wide margins.