Illinois Lawmakers Doubt Pritzker's Claim of Gaining Congressional Power Through Gerrymandering

Strategic Insights -

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker has stated that he and his allies might pursue gerrymandering Illinois' congressional districts to benefit Democratic candidates, but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle remain skeptical. They believe it is not possible to widen the Democrat's 14-3 majority in Illinois' congressional delegation through mapmaking, citing the state's already heavily gerrymandered district lines. Pritzker's comments come as Texas Republicans attempt to redraw their state's congressional map to gain power, a move that could give the GOP five more seats in the House.

Key Takeaways:

  • Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin of Barrington Hills believes Illinois is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, making it difficult to widen the Democrat's majority through mapmaking.
  • Democratic state Sen. Laura Murphy of Des Plaines expects Illinois' congressional map to be redrawn in six years as scheduled, not before.
  • Pritzker's willingness to pursue similar redistricting efforts in Illinois is met with skepticism from lawmakers, who question the constitutionality of such actions.
  • The U.S. is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with roughly 761,169 people as of the last redistricting effort in 2021.
  • Illinois' current congressional map was drawn to give Democrats an edge in nearly all of the state's 17 districts, despite Trump carrying 88 of the state's 102 counties in 2020 and again in 2024.
  • Support exists among lawmakers and the League of Women Voters of Illinois for fair maps and opposing partisan gerrymandering.
  • Suburban legislators McLaughlin and Murphy support a nonpartisan mapping process, with district lines following logical boundaries and being easy for the public to understand.

Statistics:

  • Illinois' current congressional delegates are 14 Democrats and 3 Republicans.
  • The state's residents voted 41% for Trump in the 2020 election and 44% in 2024.
  • Trump carried 88 of Illinois' 102 counties in 2020 and again in 2024.
  • The U.S. is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with roughly 761,169 people as of the last redistricting effort in 2021.

Sources:

  • Russell Lissau, "Legislators doubt Pritzker's push to gerrymander Illinois congressional districts"
  • Martin McLaughlin, Laura Murphy, and Kathy Cortez, as mentioned in the article
  • John Curran, Daniel Didech, and Kevin Kiley, as mentioned in the article
  • Daily Herald staff writer Susan Sarkauskas, "Legislators doubt Pritzker's push to gerrymander Illinois congressional districts"