Illinois House and Senate Republican leaders Tom Cross and Christine Radogno have filed suit in U.S. District Court seeking rejection of the legislative redistricting plan approved by Democrats this year.

Radogno, the Senate minority leader, said the suit is meant to “protect the voting rights of all citizens.” House Republican Leader Cross said the map is illegal.

“The Democrats passed a map this session that we believe is in direct violation of the Federal Voting Rights Act and some of our most basic rights under the Constitution,” Cross said.

Democrats have expected the lawsuit, which was mentioned even before the map was approved in May.

The 31-page lawsuit deals with several legal questions about the map and how it will affect voters.

It is well known that the map threw several Republican lawmakers into districts together, forcing them to either move, run against each other or leave office.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling, R-Colona, has introduced legislation that would bring congressional pension rules more in line with the retirement ages for their constituents.

“At a time when we are looking for ways to reduce spending and lead by example, the Congressional Retirement Age Act achieves both goals,” Schilling said.

Current retirement rules allow members of Congress to retire with a full pension at age 62, but if a member has served for 25 years they can retire with a full pension as early as age 50. Schilling said working Americans have to wait until at least age 65 to be eligible for full Social Security benefits.

The Congressional Budget Office staff indicates that Schilling’s legislation could save between $10 million and $15 million over 10 years.