“Due to national population shifts, Illinois was forced to give up a seat in the House of Representatives,” explained Johnson.  “With the loss of one seat, the remaining nineteen districts had to gain new territory.  The 15th District, which I represent, has grown substantially by picking up several new counties in the southeastern portion of the state along the Wabash River.  I have established new district offices to serve this area, traveled it extensively and I plan to be a responsive public servant to all of those residing in the 15th District.” 

Rep. Johnson’s new district includes many full counties in addition to several partial counties.  The full counties are:  Champaign, Vermilion, Iroquois, Piatt, DeWitt Ford, Douglas, and Edgar.  New Counties in the district are:  Coles, Moultrie, Clark, Cumberland, and Crawford.  Rep. Johnson maintains part of McLean County and most of Livingston County.  New partial counties the 15th District picks up are:  Macon, Wabash, Lawrence, White, Edwards, Gallatin, and Saline.

U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (IL-14) today is swearing in Members of Congress.  Rep. Johnson officially became the Congressman for the new 15th District of Illinois shortly after 12:00 p.m. Eastern time.  Among the legislation before the 108th Congress this week will be a bill extending the insurance benefits of unemployed workers.  Rep. Johnson maintains, while people want jobs and long-term earning potential, the extension of unemployment insurance is important to many struggling American families.